Inzu Ya Masaba, Nambeshe up in arms over Imbalu funding

Mbale:  The Bamasaba Cultural Institution (Inzu Ya Masaba) has come out strongly to dismiss claims made by Hon. John Baptist Nambeshe that the Ministry of Tourism disbursed funds to the cultural institution during the 2024 Imbalu festivities, which were allegedly mismanaged.

In a video clip that has circulated widely, Hon. Nambeshe while speaking on the floor of Parliament alleged that the Ministry of Tourism provided funds to the Bamasaba Cultural Institution, which were not properly accounted for.

However, the institution’s spokesperson, Mr. Steven Masiga, has branded the claims as “misleading, malicious, and politically motivated.”

“I don’t know when Hon. Nambeshe started working for the Ministry of Tourism to claim knowledge beyond the technocrats there,” said Masiga. “Even the ministry itself is surprised by his allegations.”

Masiga emphasized that extensive consultations were made with the institution’s Imbalu organizing committees, who all dismissed the MP’s assertions.

Hon. Wilson Watila, who chaired the 2024 Imbalu organizing committee, confirmed that the Ministry of Tourism did not give the committee any financial support, apart from offering technical guidance and a few branded T-shirts.

Similarly, Hon. Andrew Masaba, the Minister of Finance for the Bamasaba Cultural Institution, also denied receiving any funding from the ministry.

Mr. S.M. Wambuya, a member of the Imbalu organizing team, added that while the Ministry of Tourism had pledged to support future Imbalu celebrations specifically in 2026 no funds were disbursed for the 2024 events.

“If it weren’t for President Museveni’s intervention, the 2024 Imbalu festivities would have faced serious financial deficits,” Masiga noted. “

The President’s support was well accounted for animals were bought for clan chairmen, and we hosted a large turnout, including foreign cultural leaders from West Africa.”

Masiga accused Hon. Nambeshe of trying to politicize the cultural institution and warned him against dragging Bukuka (the institution’s leadership) into Bududa-centered political feuds.

“We don’t do politics as a cultural institution. That’s why we received the NUP President [Robert Kyagulanyi] respectfully when he paid a courtesy call on Umukuka,” Masiga explained. “If Nambeshe is playing politics with our cultural institution, he is unwelcome to Bukuka.”

He further alleged that Nambeshe has been siding with cliques opposed to the current cultural leadership, and that intelligence within the institution had observed his attempts to undermine its authority.

“Some MPs from Bugisu are trying to elevate themselves above Bukuka and Umukuka. They won’t succeed,” Masiga warned.

Citing the Constitution of Uganda, Masiga reminded MPs that the Bamasaba are constitutionally recognized under Article 10(a) and Schedule 3, No. 10, as a tribal community with full rights to organize culturally.

He also questioned why Hon. Nambeshe refers to himself as a member of the Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus in Parliament, rather than identifying with Inzu Ya Masaba, which is the official cultural identity of the Bagisu people.

“If any individual has issues with changes in our cultural name or leadership, they should formally petition the institution or the Ministry of Gender, not make baseless accusations on the floor of Parliament,” he concluded.

Background

The Imbalu is a traditional circumcision ceremony held every even year among the Bamasaba people, attracting thousands of participants and tourists. The 2024 edition was marked by a high turnout, despite reported funding challenges.

Do you have an advertisement or article you want to publish? Mail us at theugreports@gmail.com or WhatsApp +256757022363.