Mbale, Uganda: The Bugisu Cultural Institution has appealed to government agencies, health partners and development organisations to urgently supply condoms to Mutoto Cultural Site as thousands of revellers converge for the 2026 Imbalu circumcision festivities.
The appeal comes as pre-Imbalu celebrations gain momentum at Mutoto, where hundreds of cultural enthusiasts have already pitched camp ahead of the official launch of the biennial circumcision season scheduled for August 1, 2026.
Bugisu Cultural Institution spokesperson Steven Masiga said the institution is concerned about the potential spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections during the month-long festivities and is calling for immediate intervention from health partners.
He specifically appealed to organisations including The AIDS Support Organization (TASO), Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, Spotlight Africa, and other partners to provide thousands of condoms to revellers at the cultural site.
“This morning, some revellers from Mutoto called me asking that I find ways of taking condoms to Mutoto before evening. Our people are always active during this season, and we are appealing to donors to step in,” Masiga said.
He stressed that while the institution is committed to preserving and promoting the rich Imbalu cultural heritage, it equally wants participants to celebrate responsibly. “We want our people to celebrate their culture while alive, and we must address the dangers of HIV.”
According to Masiga, the Bugisu Cultural Institution officially opened Mutoto Cultural Site for pre-Imbalu activities at the beginning of July, with celebrations expected to continue throughout the month before the main launch.
He estimated that more than 1,000 revellers are already camping at the site, participating in traditional dances, cultural performances and nightly celebrations.
“As a cultural institution, we are going to ask for support to ensure that our people celebrate the pre-Imbalu festivities with the necessary tools for safer sex,” he said.
Masiga noted that the celebrations have attracted thousands of visitors from Kampala and other parts of Uganda, making HIV prevention and public health awareness an important component of this year’s festivities.
“Thousands of cultural enthusiasts from Kampala and other parts of the country are in Mutoto to celebrate the Imbalu launch. We must ensure that everyone is safe.”
He further observed that previous cultural seasons have often coincided with increased risky sexual behaviour, underscoring the need for proactive HIV prevention campaigns. “Cultural statistics indicate that HIV is usually spread rapidly around such seasons, and we must protect our people.”
Background
Imbalu is the Bamasaaba community’s traditional male circumcision ritual, conducted every even-numbered year. The ceremony marks the transition of boys into manhood and attracts thousands of participants, tourists and cultural enthusiasts from Uganda and beyond.
The official launch of the 2026 Imbalu season is scheduled for August 1 at Mutoto Cultural Grounds in Mbale City, after which circumcision ceremonies will continue across the Bugisu sub-region.
In recent years, health authorities and cultural leaders have increasingly integrated HIV/AIDS awareness, sexual and reproductive health education, and voluntary HIV testing into Imbalu activities to promote safer celebrations while preserving the cultural significance of the ritual.
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.
