Mbale City, Uganda: The Bugisu Cultural Institution has warned individuals and organizations against making payments to unauthorized persons claiming to allocate business space at the Mutoto Cultural Site ahead of the 2026 Imbalu circumcision celebrations.
Institution spokesperson Steven Masiga said he had received direct instructions from His Highness Umukuka Jude Mike Mudoma and the institution’s cabinet to ensure that anyone found collecting money on behalf of the cultural institution without authorization faces legal action.
According to Masiga, the institution has received numerous complaints through its intelligence and monitoring structures regarding individuals allegedly approaching companies, banks, organizations and members of the public seeking payments in exchange for space allocation at Mutoto during the upcoming Imbalu festivities.
“There are several complaints before our cultural intelligence desk about people moving to companies, organisations, banks and individuals collecting money from them in the name of allocating business space during the upcoming circumcision ceremonies. This will not happen and will never happen because the Bugisu Cultural Institution is fully in charge of the process,” Masiga said.
He emphasized that all official payments and inquiries regarding business opportunities and space allocation at Mutoto must be handled through authorized offices of the Bugisu Cultural Institution.
Masiga advised interested individuals and organizations to channel their requests through the Office of the Umukuka and designated institution officials.
He identified the Prime Minister of the Bugisu Cultural Institution, Dr Paul Mwambu, the Minister for Finance, Andrew Masaba, and the institution’s spokesperson’s office as the authorized channels for matters relating to acquisition of business space during the Imbalu celebrations.
“The Bugisu Cultural Institution remains the only legitimate authority responsible for organising activities at Mutoto Cultural Site. We cannot allow individuals to sit in hotels and lodges collecting money from unsuspecting members of the public while pretending to act on behalf of the institution,” Masiga said.
He further claimed that the institution had already gathered information on individuals allegedly involved in the practice and warned that legal action could soon follow.
Masiga cited provisions of the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act, arguing that unauthorized representation of a cultural institution or its officials could attract legal consequences.
He urged members of the public, companies, financial institutions and development partners intending to participate in Imbalu 2026 activities to verify all payment requests through official Bugisu Cultural Institution channels before making any financial commitments.
Preparations for the 2026 Imbalu circumcision season are already underway, with Mutoto Cultural Site expected to host thousands of visitors, cultural enthusiasts, businesses, and tourists during the ceremonies.
The institution says safeguarding the integrity of the event and protecting prospective exhibitors and partners from fraud remains one of its priorities as preparations intensify.
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