Bagisu demand apology from Bobi Wine over Imbalu ceremony
“On account of the fact that this was Bugisu land, Bobi Wine should have restrained himself from acting as a chief guest at what was presented as a cultural function,” he added.
Mbale: The Bugisu Cultural Institution has demanded a public apology from National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, for presiding over an imbalu circumcision ceremony during his visit to Mbale on Friday, 2 January 2026.
Speaking to ugreports, the spokesperson of the Bugisu Cultural Institution, Steven Masiga, said the imbalu ceremony was not part of Bobi Wine’s officially declared activities in Mbale and therefore amounted to interference in cultural affairs.
Masiga noted that Kyagulanyi, being a lawyer and politician, should clearly distinguish between political and cultural roles.
“As a cultural institution, we do not think the imbalu launch was one of the activities that brought Bobi Wine to Mbale, as per the Electoral Commission guidelines for presidential candidates. I don’t think imbalu was part of his itinerary,” Masiga said.
Bobi Wine, while holding political rallies in the Northern City Division of Mbale, presided over an imbalu ceremony during which some candidates were circumcised.
Although Masiga acknowledged the cosmopolitan nature of the Nakaloke area where the circumcised individual could belong to other sub-tribes such as the Mugwere or Munyole, he emphasized that the event took place on Bugisu land and therefore required restraint.
“On account of the fact that this was Bugisu land, Bobi Wine should have restrained himself from acting as a chief guest at what was presented as a cultural function,” he added.
Masiga further called on the Electoral Commission to involve cultural institutions in future political engagements so that the itineraries of political candidates are clearly known and respected.
“It is wrong for politicians to hijack roles meant for cultural leaders. The Umukuka of Bugisu cannot take on political roles because he is restrained by law, and we request politicians not to cross into our lane,” Masiga said.
He revealed that the Bugisu Cultural Institution is considering appropriate cultural sanctions against Bobi Wine, which could include the payment of animals to appease the Bamasaaba spirits.
According to Masiga, the official imbalu season in Bugisu is held in August and September of every even year. The recognized venue for the official launch is Mutoto Cultural Grounds, where His Highness the Umukuka III, Jude Mike Mudoma, presides over the ceremony.
“We expect various cultural leaders from across Africa to attend the official imbalu ceremony. Circumcision is a purely cultural practice and should not be mixed with politics,” Masiga concluded.
He warned that such conduct by politicians is unacceptable and should never be repeated, urging political actors to respect the purpose of their visits to different regions.
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