By Weswa Ronnie
MBALE
Inzu Ya Masaba has called on the LCV Chairpersons from the Bugisu sub-region to hand back the responsibility of organizing the 2026 Imbalu cultural ceremony to the institution’s leadership.
The call was made by Steven Masiga, the spokesperson of Inzu Ya Masaba, while addressing the media on Tuesday at Mbale High Court shortly after a mediation meeting.
Last month, the Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus, in the presence of the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Gen. Henry Tumukunde, handed the responsibility of organizing the 2026 Imbalu ceremony to the Bugisu LCV Chairpersons during a meeting held at Mbale Secondary School in Industrial City Division, Mbale City.
The decision followed a dispute between Inzu Ya Masaba and Inzu Ya Bamasaba, with both institutions claiming the mandate to organize the circumcision ceremonies at the Mutoto Cultural Site.
To restore harmony and ensure fairness, Members of Parliament and the Bugisu LCV Chairpersons, together with the Minister, resolved that both rival factions would step aside and that the LCV Chairpersons would oversee the organization of the 2026 Imbalu ceremony.
The LCV Chairpersons welcomed the resolution, immediately constituted organizing committees, appointed leaders, and commenced preparations.
However, following Tuesday’s reconciliation, during which Umukuka Jude Mike Mudoma was confirmed as the Umukuka of Inzu Ya Masaba for the next two years after the rival faction agreed to stand down, Masiga said the LCV Chairpersons should now present a progress report to the Umukuka and hand over the responsibility of organizing Imbalu back to Inzu Ya Masaba.
Masiga said the Umukuka had already appointed an organizing team before its work was suspended following the MPs’ resolution. He argued that the team should now resume mobilization efforts.
He further noted that the Umukuka had secured pledges of support from several organizations and companies and should be allowed to follow up on those commitments to ensure the success of the ceremony.
Masiga added that since the court-mediated reconciliation had resolved the disputes that led to the impasse, the LCV Chairpersons should formally brief the Umukuka and hand over the organizational report. According to him, the chairpersons should thereafter participate in the Imbalu launch in their official capacities as district leaders rather than as organizers.
Responding to Masiga’s remarks, Emma Bwayo, a member of the Publicity and Media Committee for the 2026 Imbalu organizing team and also the LCV Chairperson for Namisindwa District, dismissed the calls, saying the committee was focused on preparations and would not be distracted by such statements.
Bwayo said preparations were progressing well, noting that invitations had already been sent to senior government officials, including the Presidents of Uganda and Kenya. He added that flour had already been distributed to all the 26 Bamasaba clans as part of the preparations.
He maintained that the Mbale Secondary School resolution clearly mandated the Bugisu LCV Chairpersons to organize the 2026 Imbalu ceremony.
Bwayo acknowledged that Inzu Ya Masaba and Inzu Ya Bamasaba had reconciled but advised the leadership to focus on reactivating the institution’s organs instead of seeking to reclaim the Imbalu organizing role.
He further argued that Masiga’s remarks were misplaced, adding that the existing organs of Inzu Ya Masaba do not recognize the position of spokesperson.
