By Abubakar Bin Siraji
MBALE DISTRICT
Umukuuka Amb. Wilson Weasa Wamimbi will be laid to rest on Saturday, April 20, 2024 in Busano sub-county, Mbale District amidst the sounding of Ifuumbo drums.
The news of Ifuumbo has excited mourners in Masaabaland. According to a report by Dr. Florence Wakoko, the North America Masaba Cultural Association (NAMCA) has, among other things contributed towards Ifumbo and two bulls for the funeral fete.
Ifuumbo (Ingoma ye Baafu) will be sounded for two days (Friday and Saturday) at the funeral grounds in Busano in respect and honour of the fallen cultural leader.
Ifuumbo is an old funeral dance in Masaabaland where drums are sounded during the last funeral rites of elderly and respectable men who produced male children. Men who braved the knife and produced sons were highly respected and accorded “powerful” burial ceremonies when they died. Sounding Ifuumbo on Umukuuka burial is the greatest send-off honour.
Government of Uganda has accorded Wamimbi an Official Burial with a cash contribution of UGX.159,675,000 in recognition of his service to the country.
Wamimbi assumed the position of Umukuuka on 1st July 2010 and served until the end of his 5 year term when he was succeeded by late Bob Mushikori.
Umukuuka Wamimbi was born in 1938 in Busano sub-county, Mbale district and trained as a teacher at Kyambogo College before going for further studies at Makerere University.
