By Aaron Okotel
MBALE
The Bugisu Cultural Institution has officially kicked off the survey and mapping of the road leading to the historic Mutoto Cultural Site.
The development follows a formal request from His Highness the Umukuka Mike Mudoma to the Minister of Works and Transport, General Edward Katumba Wamala, seeking to have the road gazetted and rehabilitated. In a swift response, the Minister flagged off a joint technical team to commence immediate preliminary works.
The institution’s spokesperson, Steven Masiga revealed that on Tuesday, a joint team comprising cultural leaders, ministers within the institution, and UNRA engineers conducted a preliminary survey and mapping exercise to pave the way for the road’s construction.
“We want to thank the Minister of Works for responding quickly to the communication from His Highness the Umukuka,” Masiga said, noting that the development comes at a crucial time as preparations intensify for the upcoming Imbalu (circumcision) ceremony launch scheduled for August 1.
The Mutoto cultural site, located in Mbale, is a central venue for the biennial Imbalu ritual, which attracts both local and international visitors. This year’s event is expected to host high-profile guests, including cultural leaders from West Africa, delegations of Members of Parliament, representatives from South Africa, and heads of state from Kenya and Uganda.
The exercise was attended by several cultural ministers within the institution, officials from UNRA, and former Cabinet Minister for Energy and Minerals, Irene Muloni, among others.
The road project is expected to play a key role in enhancing preparations for the Imbalu ceremony while strengthening tourism and cultural heritage preservation in the Bugisu sub-region.
