Mbale City, Uganda: The Bugisu Cultural Institution has constituted a committee to inspect, assess and profile hotels that will accommodate hundreds of local and international dignitaries expected to attend the official opening of the 2026 Imbalu circumcision season on August 1.
According to the institution’s spokesperson, Steven Masiga, the exercise is aimed at identifying hospitality facilities capable of meeting the standards required to host high-profile guests who will travel to Bugisu for the annual cultural event.
The official opening of Imbalu is expected to attract more than 500 VIP visitors, including delegations from the United States, Nigeria, Ghana, Indonesia, Togo, South Africa, Kenya and several other countries.
Masiga said the list of invited guests includes Heads of State, kings and queens, traditional rulers, sultans, ministers, state governors from neighbouring countries, Members of Parliament and other senior government officials from Uganda and abroad.
“We have constituted a committee to inspect and profile hotels that will host the Imbalu dignitaries. These are guests of both the Cultural Institution and the Government of Uganda, and we want to ensure they receive the best hospitality possible,” Masiga said.
He explained that the inspection team will evaluate hotels based on several criteria, including their official star rating, previous experience in hosting high-profile guests, security arrangements, privacy and the quality of accommodation.
“We shall consider several factors. The level of the hotel, for example two-star and four-star status, varies. We shall also look at hotels with a proven history of hosting high-profile guests because they understand the standards required,” he said.
Masiga added that security will be among the committee’s top priorities, noting that recommended facilities must comply with hospitality and security standards, including those promoted by the Uganda Tourism Board.
“We expect 24-hour security, enhanced privacy where necessary and hotels with private VIP entrances will have an added advantage. We also expect soundproof luxury suites suitable for VIP guests,” he said.
The spokesperson urged hotel owners across Mbale and the wider Bugisu sub-region to prepare their facilities for inspection, saying the approved list of accommodation facilities will be published after the assessment exercise is completed.
“We remind hotel owners to take note of these requirements. At the appropriate time, we shall update the public on the hotels that have been formally approved by the committee,” Masiga said.
He noted that many of the visiting cultural leaders, particularly from West Africa, have already submitted their accommodation requirements and are expected to travel with sizeable delegations.
The visiting dignitaries are expected to stay in the Bugisu sub-region for approximately one week, during which they will participate in cultural activities and engagements surrounding the official launch of the 2026 Imbalu season.
The Imbalu cultural ceremony remains one of Uganda’s most celebrated traditional events, attracting thousands of participants and visitors from across the country and abroad while showcasing the cultural heritage of the Bamasaaba people.
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