By Wetondo Denis Julius
MBALE
The Bamasaba Cultural Institution does not have a legally gazzetted leader, government has revealed.
This was revealed by Peace Regis Mutuuzo, the Minister of State for Gender and Culture on Saturday at St Andrews Cathedral Mbale during the holy mass for the late Bob Mushikori, who was also the outgoing Umkhuka.
Speaking to hundreds of mourners Mutuuzo denied allegations that government had gazettied John Amulamu Wagabyalile as the newly elected Masaba cultural leader [Umukuka].
Mutuzo revealed that before the death of Mushikori, the Masaba cultural institution was having two rival factions with each claiming it had been gazetted officially by government. She said this was not true.
She added that after the burial of Mushikori, the Ministry Of Gender Social and Labour Development is going to meet the faction of Mike Mudoma the purported Umukuka and of John Wagabyalile Amulamu who was elected by a section of clan leaders before coming up with a genuine person for gazetting to replace late Mushikori.
However, Erick Mukhwana, the Public Relations Officer Masaba Cultural Institution disagreed with the Minister saying she has been misinformed by the Mike Mudoma faction.
He accused the Mudoma faction of writing to the Minister with the aim of misleading her.
He added that before the death of Mushikori, clan leaders had elected John Amulamu Wagabyalile as new official Umukuka. He claimed he was even gazetted and they had remained with only installing him.
He also claimed that they were going to install him but were delayed with the death of Mushikori.
Mike Mudoma on his part expressed his happiness with the Minister’s statement.
Mudoma said that after the death of Mushikori he has been the genuine person because clan heads elected him as the third Umukuka but he was shocked to hear that another faction has elected Wagabyalile illegally.
