Mbale City, Uganda: The spokesperson of the Bugisu Cultural Institution, Steven Masiga, has called on the Judiciary to take firm action against individuals he accuses of undermining ongoing mediation efforts aimed at resolving leadership disputes within the institution.
Masiga said the intervention follows recent developments surrounding leadership claims within the Bugisu cultural establishment and concerns over individuals allegedly presenting themselves as cultural leaders outside the ongoing mediation framework.
According to Masiga, the mediation process was initiated following court petitions challenging the leadership of His Royal Majesty Umukuka Jude Mike Mudoma, who was gazetted by government in 2023.
He noted that some of the petitioners who had initially challenged the institution’s leadership have since shifted focus from the court process and are allegedly promoting alternative leadership structures.
“Whereas I have personally been on record pushing for mediation of several petitions that were before court against His Royal Majesty the Umukuka of Bugisu, Jude Mike Mudoma, some of the parties who petitioned court have abandoned that process and are now busy imposing individuals on the community as cultural leaders,” Masiga said.
He argued that cultural leadership should be determined within the framework of Uganda’s laws, including Article 246 of the Constitution and the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act.
Masiga said the Bugisu Cultural Institution remains committed to resolving disputes through mediation and dialogue rather than parallel structures.
He further appealed to the Chief Justice and judicial leadership to ensure that individuals not participating in the court-sanctioned mediation process refrain from activities that could undermine efforts toward cultural unity and reconciliation.
“We are appealing for support in ensuring that the mediation process proceeds without interference. Those interested in resolving the leadership questions should engage through the established legal processes,” he said.
Masiga also questioned what he described as contradictory actions by some stakeholders who continue to participate in court proceedings while simultaneously promoting alternative leadership candidates.
He maintained that mediation remains the most appropriate avenue for addressing grievances and preserving peace within the Bugisu Cultural Institution.
The spokesperson warned that continued disputes could create unnecessary divisions within the community at a time when preparations are underway for the 2026 Imbalu circumcision ceremonies, one of the region’s most significant cultural events.
He urged all parties to respect the ongoing mediation process and allow legal mechanisms to determine outstanding matters relating to the institution’s leadership.
The Bugisu Cultural Institution has in recent years been at the centre of legal and administrative disputes regarding cultural leadership, with several matters being subjected to court processes and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
