By Abubakar Bin Siraji
MBALE
The Bamasaaba (Bagisu) in Eastern Uganda will on October 14th 2023 officially inaugurate their cultural leader, Umukuuka III at a function they say will set the stage for unity and development in their community.
Kuka Mike Mudoma was elected by the 26 Clan heads of Inzu Ya Masaaba (the house of Masaaba). He will replace His Highness Late Sir Bob Mushikori.
President Museveni is expected to preside over the function.
According to the organisers, the function, which will take place at Mutoto cultural site in Mbale, will also be used to promote the Imbalu (circumcision) culture as a tourism avenue for employment and income generation.
The Imbalu is already a huge event, attracting tens of hundreds of people when it happens every after two years. Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) has already taken on the mantle to promote the activity.
Joseph Mauso, one of the organizers told this reporter on Thursday 12th October 2023 that they want to rally the Bagisu in Kenya and Uganda for development.
“We are not rallying for politics because our people are better when they are developing,” he said.
Mauso said they anticipate that the event in “Mbale is going to be explosive”. He said they not only expect people from different parts of the country, but also the East African region, especially Kenya where some Bagisu live.
He said there are about seven million Bagisu in Uganda and Kenya.
Last week, the Bamasaaba held a fundraising dinner in Kenya as part of the preparations for the event. Mauso said they raised more than Shs10m after meeting the governors and elected Mr Philip as the chairman culture from Kenya chapter in Bungoma county.
