Mbale, Uganda: The Bugisu Cultural Institution (Bukuka) has appealed to President Museveni to intervene in an escalating dispute over the authority of the Umukuka, accusing a section of Bugisu Members of Parliament of attempting to unlawfully strip the cultural leader of his traditional role in presiding over the Imbalu circumcision ceremonies.
In a lengthy open letter addressed to the President, Bukuka spokesperson Steven Masiga defended the legal status of His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma, arguing that the Umukuka’s authority is protected under Article 246 of the Constitution and the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act, 2011.
Masiga said recent resolutions reportedly reached during a July 9 meeting in Mbale, where some Bugisu MPs allegedly declared that the Umukuka would not preside over the forthcoming Imbalu activities, have angered clan leaders across the region.
He argued that Parliamentarians have no legal mandate to alter or remove powers vested in a gazetted cultural institution. “What is given by law can only be taken away by law, not by word of mouth,” Masiga wrote.
He maintained that decisions relating to cultural ceremonies fall within the mandate of the Umukuka, his cabinet and Bugisu clan leadership, not elected politicians.
Museveni praised for support to Bukuka
Masiga used the letter to commend President Museveni for what he described as consistent support towards the Bugisu Cultural Institution and the wider region.
He cited several government interventions, including the Shs150 million contribution towards the burial of the late Umukuka Wilson Wamimbi in April 2024, Shs300 million for the 2024 Imbalu launch, support to landslide victims in Bunambutye through livestock donations, quarterly government funding to the institution, and infrastructure projects, including road upgrades in Bududa and Bukalasi.
He said these interventions have strengthened both cultural leadership and government programmes within Bugisu.
Defends Mudoma’s gazettement
Masiga traced the current leadership dispute to disagreements that followed the election of the current Umukuka in 2020.
He said prolonged disputes prompted the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to invoke mediation provisions under the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act, eventually leading to the gazettement of Jude Mike Mudoma in 2023.
According to Masiga, Mudoma became the first Umukuka recognised through the legal framework established under the 2011 Act.
He noted that while court proceedings challenging aspects of Bugisu’s cultural leadership remain ongoing, the gazettement remains valid unless overturned through lawful processes.
Warns against political interference
The Bukuka spokesperson accused some politicians of interfering in cultural affairs for political interests, warning that such actions risk undermining peace within the Bugisu sub-region.
He claimed there are individuals allegedly financing rival cultural factions with money, fuel and logistical support to challenge the recognised cultural leadership.
Masiga also alleged that security agencies have remained neutral by recognising the gazetted Umukuka despite pressure from rival groups.
He further criticised Bugisu MPs for allegedly ignoring guidance from State Minister for Gender Mary Karooro Okurut Kutesa, who reportedly cautioned against taking actions contrary to Uganda’s cultural laws.
Clan chairpersons plan petition
Masiga revealed that Bugisu clan chairpersons are preparing to petition President Museveni and have planned a demonstration to protest what they describe as attempts to sideline both the Umukuka and traditional clan structures from organising Imbalu.
He argued that excluding clan leaders from recent discussions on the cultural ceremony had deepened tensions within the community.
The spokesperson appealed to the President to safeguard the legal status of cultural institutions, warning that allowing politicians to redefine the powers of recognised traditional leaders would set a dangerous precedent across Uganda.
“We respectfully beseech Your Excellency to intervene because what is given by law can only be taken away by law. We reject attempts by sections of Bugisu lawmakers to impose political decisions on cultural leadership,” Masiga said.
The dispute comes just weeks before the launch of this year’s Imbalu circumcision season, one of the Bugisu community’s most significant cultural ceremonies.
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.
