Bamasaba Cultural Institution condemns treatment of Oboth-Oboth at Imbalu launch, blames political interference
"As a cultural institution, we condemn in the strongest terms possible any attempt to make a mockery of such a dignified cultural ceremony and humiliate a representative of the Head of State," Masiga said.
Mbale: The spokesperson of the Bamasaba Cultural Institution has condemned the treatment of the Guest of Honour, Rt. Hon. Jacob Oboth-Oboth, during the official Imbalu circumcision launch held at Mutoto Cultural Grounds on August 1, 2026, describing the incident as regrettable and attributing it to political interference by a section of leaders from the Bugisu sub-region.
Speaking to this publication by telephone from Mbale City, Bamasaba Cultural Institution spokesperson Steven Masiga alleged that intelligence available to the institution suggests that some Members of Parliament from Bugisu may have incited the crowd against the Speaker of Parliament.
“How the Guest of Honour, Rt. Hon. Oboth-Oboth, was treated during the official circumcision launch was regrettable. There is sufficient cultural intelligence indicating that he was sold out to the crowd by some Members of Parliament because of political differences involving the Speaker of Parliament,” Masiga said.
He further claimed that supporters aligned to one political faction sought to use the cultural event to embarrass the Speaker.
“We condemn the infiltration of politics into cultural functions. I saw people promoting themselves instead of promoting culture,” he added.
Masiga also recalled a similar incident during the 2024 Imbalu launch, when the Minister of State for Tourism, Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka Wambuzi, who represented the government, allegedly faced hostility from some legislators.
According to Masiga, he, together with then Mbale Resident City Commissioner Asumin Nasike and the Bamasaba Minister for Culture Moses Kutoi, intervened to prevent the situation from escalating.
“In 2024, it is me, the Mbale RCC Asumin Nasike and Culture Minister Moses Kutoi who restrained those who wanted to attack a government representative because we were the masters of ceremonies that day,” he said.
Masiga alleged that Hon. John Musila, MP for Bubulo East, and Hon. John Baptist Nambeshe, MP for Manjiya County, were among those involved in the confrontation during the previous launch. He also accused Nambeshe of making statements critical of the government during that event.
Commenting on this year’s incident, Masiga maintained that the conduct witnessed at Mutoto appeared to have been orchestrated.
“What happened this year could have been masterminded by some Members of Parliament who indirectly turned the crowd against the Guest of Honour,” he said.
The cultural institution has since distanced itself from the incident and apologized to both the Speaker and visiting cultural leaders.
“As a cultural institution, we condemn in the strongest terms possible any attempt to make a mockery of such a dignified cultural ceremony and humiliate a representative of the Head of State,” Masiga said.
He extended an apology to the visiting cultural leader from the Japadhola community.
“On behalf of the Bamasaba Cultural Institution and the Bamasaba people, we apologize to His Highness the Umukuka and to His Highness the Tieng Adhola for the unbecoming conduct displayed against the Rt. Hon. Speaker. Such conduct does not reflect the position of the cultural institution.”
Masiga further called on Members of Parliament from Bugisu to publicly apologize to the Speaker, the cultural leaders, and President Yoweri Museveni.
“We request the Members of Parliament from Bugisu to individually apologize to the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, the cultural leaders of Bugisu and Budama, and the President of Uganda for such despicable conduct against the Guest of Honour.”
He also urged leaders from the region to put aside political divisions.
“We encourage our Members of Parliament to refrain from clique formations and divisions within Parliament. We need a united Parliament that legislates for the country in accordance with the Constitution. Our community is watching the conduct of its political leaders.”
The allegations made by the Bamasaba Cultural Institution spokesperson have not been independently verified, and the Members of Parliament mentioned had not publicly responded to the claims by the time of publication.
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