Attempt by FDC, NUP to impose cultural leader on Bagisu ‘laughable’ – Bugisu Cultural Institution

Bududa: The Bugisu Cultural Institution has dismissed attempts by opposition politicians from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the National Unity Platform (NUP) to influence the leadership of the Bamasaaba cultural institution, describing them as “laughable and unacceptable.”

Speaking to this publication in Bududa District, the spokesperson of the Bugisu Cultural Institution, Hon. Steven Masiga, warned politicians against using the institution as a tool for political publicity.

“We shall not allow anybody to use the cultural institution as a punching bag to gain public attention. Those who tried such tactics are now seated at home after being rejected in elections,” Masiga said.

Masiga emphasized that the institution does not engage in partisan politics, despite having the capacity to do so.

“We neither deal in politics nor politic against anybody. Much as we have the potential, we request that we are not dragged into political battles,” he added.

He further rejected what he described as attempts to “play to the gallery” on matters concerning the Umukuka, the cultural leader of the Bamasaaba, saying such actions were rejected in their entirety.

Masiga singled out opposition politicians Hon. Nathan Nandala Mafabi and Hon. John Baptist Nambeshe, stating that they do not possess the authority to determine who becomes the Umukuka of Bugisu.

“Opposition politicians like Hon. Nandala and Hon. Nambeshe will not determine for us who the Umukuka is. They are not clothed with such powers,” Masiga said.

He cited an incident in Bududa District during the burial of an elder, where Hon. Nandala allegedly pledged to fund one of the rivals opposed to Umukuka Jude Mike Mudoma, including providing fuel throughout the year.

Masiga noted that similar attempts were made during the formative stages of the election of Umukuka III, but were overwhelmingly rejected by the Bamasaaba.

“Bamasaaba rejected those efforts outright. Perhaps the failure to win elections even at one’s own polling stations can be attributed to such actions,” he remarked.

The Bugisu Cultural Institution warned all politicians from the region against interfering with matters of cultural leadership.

According to Ugandan law, Masiga explained, the Umukuka can only be elected by the rightful constituency the Bamasaaba clan leaders who are mandated to guide and comment on cultural leadership matters.

He stated that His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma was duly elected by clan delegates and later gazetted in accordance with Article 246 of the Constitution and the Institution of Traditional and Cultural Leaders Act, 2011.

Masiga urged Members of Parliament to focus on their constitutional mandate under Article 79(1)(2), which is to make laws for Uganda, rather than interfering in cultural affairs.

“It is disturbing for lawmakers to fail to comprehend the very laws they enact,” he said.

Some clan leaders who attended the burial in Bududa also expressed concern over the conduct of certain politicians. One clan chairperson said the Bamasaaba would not be dictated to on issues of cultural leadership.

“His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma is our Umukuka. He still has the stamina to lead us until such a time when he chooses otherwise,” the clan leader said.

Masiga concluded by stating that anyone seeking clarification on the process of electing and gazetting a cultural leader should consult the Bugisu Cultural Institution.

“The procedure is dictated by Ugandan law, not by politicians acting in their individual capacities. We reject lazy approaches to cultural leadership matters, and we will not allow anyone to play around with our institution,” Masiga said.

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