Mbale, Uganda: More than 5,000 Bugisu clan chairpersons are planning to march to State House to present a handwritten petition to President Museveni, protesting what they describe as attempts by some Members of Parliament from the Bugisu sub-region to undermine the constitutional mandate of the Umukuka over cultural affairs, including the organisation of the Imbalu circumcision ceremony.
The development was disclosed by the spokesperson of the Bugisu Cultural Institution, Steven Masiga, who said the clan leaders had resolved to seek the President’s intervention following recent disagreements over the management of the region’s cultural activities.
According to Masiga, the elders accuse some Bugisu legislators of attempting to strip His Highness Umukuka Jude Mike Mudoma of his traditional responsibilities, particularly his role in presiding over customary and cultural ceremonies.
“The clan chairpersons accuse some Members of Parliament of stripping the Umukuka of his cultural roles, which among others include conducting cultural and customary activities in Bugisu,” Masiga said.
He argued that Uganda’s Constitution, particularly Article 246, the National Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, and the Traditional and Cultural Leaders Act, collectively recognize and protect the role of cultural institutions in promoting customs and traditions that are consistent with the Constitution.
Masiga said the controversy intensified following a stakeholders’ meeting held at Mbale Secondary School, where discussions on the forthcoming Imbalu season were held without inviting clan chairpersons.
The meeting, chaired by State Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development (Gender and Culture) Gen. Henry Tumukunde, reportedly resolved that district chairpersons would continue coordinating circumcision ceremonies, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from sections of the Bugisu Cultural Institution.
“The recent meeting held in Mbale Secondary School, where clan chairpersons were not invited yet sensitive cultural topics were being discussed, has raised a lot of anger among our elders,” Masiga said.
He maintained that matters relating to Imbalu fall squarely under the authority of the Umukuka and the Bugisu Cultural Institution.
“As the Bugisu Cultural Institution, we are fully against the decisions that were arrived at regarding Imbalu. Matters concerning the celebration are within the mandate of His Highness the Umukuka,” he said.
Masiga further revealed that clan leaders from across Bugisu have already petitioned President Museveni and intend to personally present their concerns during a meeting at State House.
According to him, the elders believe they were unfairly excluded from discussions concerning a cultural practice that is traditionally administered through clan structures.
An elder who declined to be named warned that the clan leaders would use all culturally accepted means to defend the traditional role of the Umukuka.
“We shall use all culturally accepted means to ensure that His Highness the Umukuka of Bugisu, Jude Mike Mudoma, is the one in charge of the upcoming Imbalu launch,” the elder said.
Masiga also accused the Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus of failing to adequately consult clan leaders before engaging the Ministry of Gender on matters affecting the institution.
“We shall not allow politicians to take over cultural space. This is our lane and nobody should construct in it,” he said.
The disagreement comes amid ongoing mediation efforts aimed at resolving leadership and governance disputes within the Bugisu Cultural Institution ahead of the 2026 Imbalu season.
By press time, the Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus had not publicly responded to the allegations raised by the Bugisu Cultural Institution.
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