By Weswa Ronnie
MBALE CITY
Concerned Bamasaaba elders, under the Inzu Ya Masaaba Cultural Institution, have issued an open letter to the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, threatening legal action over the renaming of Inzu Ya Masaba to Umukuuka Wa Bugisu.
At a press conference held in Mbale City today Saturday, 3rd May, 2025, the elders denounced the government’s move as unilateral, illegal, and deeply disrespectful to Bamasaba traditions.
The controversy stems from General Notice No. 966 of 2025, titled Corrigendum, published in the Uganda Gazette on April 8, 2025. The notice, signed by the Minister, purports to correct errors in the names of cultural institutions.
Omar Busale, chairman culture council, said, “We have analyzed both Article 246 of the 1995 Uganda Constitution and the Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act, Cap 242, and found no authority granted to the minister to change the name of Inzu Ya Masaba, which was properly gazetted. This same name was used to gazette three cultural leaders, including the current Umukuuka, whose position is still under court litigation.”
Nelson Wedaira, former Speaker of Inzu Ya Masaba’s Second General Assembly, also expressed outrage, accusing current Umukuuka Jude Mike Mudoma, of acting without consultation.
“From the beginning, when Mr. Mudoma forced his way into the throne, he dismissed us he calls ‘5Ws’ and mocked Inzu Ya Masaba, calling it a ‘sham’ or a ‘malwa group,’” said Wedaira.
He stressed that only the General Assembly, the supreme governing body can authorize such a name change.
“How did the minister approve the name change without a resolution from a legitimate Bamasaba council? Even with ongoing court cases and internal wrangles, the minister proceeded to gazette Mudoma. Has Inzu Ya Masaba been degazetted? Do we now have two cultural institutions?” Wedaira questioned.
He further pointed out that Inzu Ya Masaba leadership traditionally rotates every five years among the three major Bamasaba clans Wanale, Mwambu, and Mubuya.
Lillian Mutonyi, widow of the late Umukuuka Bob Mushikori, condemned the change, accusing the Minister of collusion.
“We are shocked that the Minister of Gender conspired with Mr. Mudoma to alter our institution. This move is illegal and has sown confusion among the Bamasaba,” said Mutonyi.
Situma Damascus Muyanda, a founding member and first Secretary General of Inzu Ya Masaba, emphasized the significance of the original name.
“Inzu Ya Masaba symbolizes unity among our three major lineages. Both the first and second Umukuka were elected under this name. Now, a few individuals have altered it without proper procedure.” He said.
Davis Wakane, another elder, questioned. “Who told the minister that the name was errored?”
He added that Inzu Ya Masaba encompasses Bamasaba from Uganda and Kenya. “Renaming it to Umukuuka Wa Bugisu, excludes our Kenyan brothers, which is unacceptable.”
Wakane warned that if the General Notice is not withdrawn, their lawyers are ready to file a petition in court.
He also cited Sections 4(3) and 4(4) of the Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act, Cap 242, which allows the community to reject an institution they do not recognize.
In response, Umukuuka Jude Mike Mudoma denied the accusations while addressing his 26 clan leaders saying the change of name was done by the ministry and not only in Inzu ya Masaba but to all cultural institutions in the country.
“From April 4, 2025, I will be Umukuuka Wa Bugisu. But I haven’t created a new cultural institution. I don’t have the authority to make such a change, just as it couldn’t happen in Buganda, Lango, Acholi, or Teso without due process,” He stated.
