*Bugisu Caucus Chair Wakooli to Table Motion for World-Class Development of Historic Mutoto Cultural Grounds as Tourism Hub and Centre for All Masaba Traditional Events* 

By Our Reporter: 

MBALE — Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus Chairperson and Butiru County MP Hon. Godfrey Matembu Wakooli has announced plans to move a motion on the floor of Parliament seeking the full development of the historic Mutoto Cultural Grounds in Mbale City.

The site, he said, should be transformed into a modern centre for all traditional events across Masaba land and a premier cultural tourism attraction.

Hon. Wakooli made the remarks yesterday during the official launch of the 2026 Imbalu circumcision season at the Mutoto Cultural Grounds, the traditional starting point of the Bamasaaba rite of passage. The ceremony, which drew thousands of Bamasaaba from Uganda and their Bukusu kin from Kenya, marked the formal opening of the biennial Imbalu season that will spread across the 26 clans of Bugisu until December.

Speaking amid the colourful celebrations that featured traditional music, dance, processions, and the initiation of the first candidates, Wakooli stressed that Mutoto holds deep spiritual and historical significance for the Bamasaaba people. According to oral history, the grounds are linked to the origins of Imbalu among the descendants of Masaba, and circumcision ceremonies traditionally begin there before moving to other parts of the region.

“Mutoto is not just a piece of land; it is the heartbeat of our cultural identity,” Wakooli said. “It is time government recognises its potential and develops it properly so that it can host all our traditional events in a dignified, organised manner while also attracting tourists from across the world.”

The Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus chairperson outlined a vision for the site that includes permanent infrastructure such as modern amphitheatres or open-air stages suitable for cultural performances, proper sanitation and water facilities, access roads, parking, exhibition spaces for artisans, a cultural museum or interpretation centre, and amenities that would allow the grounds to function year-round as a tourism destination rather than only during Imbalu seasons.

He argued that developing Mutoto would serve dual purposes: preserving and promoting Bamasaaba heritage for future generations and creating economic opportunities through cultural tourism in the Bugisu sub-region. The area already draws large crowds every two years for Imbalu, and leaders believe proper investment could turn the site into a major attraction similar to other developed cultural centres in Uganda and the region.

The call comes as the 2026 Imbalu season officially kicked off with the traditional ceremonies at Mutoto. Organisers reported strong turnout, with security teams having inspected the grounds earlier to ensure a peaceful event. The Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus had earlier contributed UGX 25 million towards the launch preparations, underscoring the legislators’ commitment to cultural activities.

Wakooli indicated that the motion would seek government funding and partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, and local governments in the Bugisu districts. He expressed confidence that fellow MPs from the sub-region and beyond would support the initiative once tabled.

Cultural leaders and district chairpersons present at the launch welcomed the proposal. They noted that while Mutoto remains the sacred starting point for Imbalu, the grounds currently lack adequate facilities to handle large numbers of participants and visitors comfortably and safely over extended periods.

The development push aligns with broader efforts to strengthen cultural institutions and promote heritage tourism as a driver of local economic growth. If successful, the motion could pave the way for Mutoto to host not only Imbalu but also other Bamasaaba traditional ceremonies, festivals, educational programmes, and tourist activities throughout the year.

As the 2026 Imbalu season gathers momentum across Masaba land, attention will now turn to Parliament, where Hon. Wakooli is expected to formally move the motion in the coming weeks. For the Bamasaaba, the prospect of fully developed Mutoto Cultural Grounds represents both a recognition of their rich heritage and a tangible investment in the future of their cultural and economic landscape.

Snubbed at Sacred Grounds: Bumutoto Imbalu Committee Bars Umukuka Mudoma from Addressing Throngs at 2026 Launch in Mutoto

MBALE — In a dramatic escalation of long-simmering cultural leadership disputes, the Bumutoto Imbalu organizing committee on Saturday refused Umukuka Jude Mike Mudoma the opportunity to address the massive congregation gathered for the official launch of the 2026 Imbalu circumcision season at the historic Mutoto Cultural Grounds.

Thousands of Bamasaba from across the seven districts of the Bugisu sub-region and beyond thronged the sacred site near Mbale City for the high-stakes ceremony that traditionally marks the start of the even-year initiation rite. Five boys from the BaMutoto clan underwent the public circumcision that formally opens the season, which will now spread across the 26 clans until December. Organizers had anticipated crowds exceeding 50,000, drawn by the vibrant kadodi dances, traditional music, feasting, and the profound cultural significance of the event that transforms boys into men.

Yet the absence of a formal address by Umukuka III HRH Sir Jude Mike Mudoma, the government-gazetted cultural leader of Bugisu, cast a long shadow over the celebrations.

 Sources close to the event confirmed that the organizing committee, spearheaded by Bugisu’s Local Council Five chairpersons under the leadership of Manafwa District LCV Chairperson Hosea Kigai Kimono, firmly denied Mudoma the platform to speak to the gathering.

The decision stems from deep divisions within the Bamasaba cultural leadership. Rival factions, including one associated with Umukuka IV Joram Khambo Mayatsa of the Inzu Ya Masaba Cultural Institution, have contested Mudoma’s authority for years. 

In a bid to avert potential clashes and ensure a peaceful launch, a meeting chaired by Gender, Labour and Social Development Minister Gen. Henry Tumukunde earlier assigned organizational control to the district chairpersons rather than any single cultural institution.

“We are fully in charge of organising this year’s Imbalu ceremony, and we call upon all Bamasaba to cooperate with us and make this cultural event colourful, peaceful and successful,” Kimono stated when the committee was unveiled. The committee’s general secretary, Namisindwa LCV Chairperson Emma Bwayo, emphasized that the arrangement promoted accountability and transparency amid the leadership wrangles.

Mudoma, who has previously launched Imbalu organizing boards and inspected preparations at Mutoto, had been vocal about his role in the cultural institution. Reports in the lead-up to the event indicated he was unhappy at being sidelined from presiding over the launch. Some community voices and youths had even publicly opposed his involvement, citing ongoing disputes. Funding controversies also fueled tensions, with LC5 chairpersons expressing dissatisfaction over how resources allocated for the launch had been handled.

Despite the snub, Mudoma was sighted at the grounds on the day of the launch, according to multiple local reports and social media updates, though he did not deliver an official address. The ceremony itself proceeded with traditional rituals, including the confirmation of the date through ancestral bird omens earlier in July, and proceeded under heightened security concerns that had been raised for weeks.

The Imbalu tradition, dating back centuries among the Bagisu people of the Mount Elgon slopes, remains one of Uganda’s most enduring cultural practices. Candidates, typically aged 16 and above, undergo elaborate preparations involving family consultations, millet storage, and strict observance of peace norms during the season. This year, organizers projected more than 10,000 boys could face the knife across the region, building on the roughly 6,000 circumcised in 2024.

Drama of another kind briefly interrupted proceedings when traditional circumcisers protested the organizers’ failure to provide a bull for slaughter a longstanding customary gift before they begin their work—highlighting additional logistical and cultural frictions on the ground.

As the 2026 Imbalu season now rolls out to the wider Bugisu community, the exclusion of the gazetted Umukuka from addressing the Mutoto congregation underscores the unresolved fractures within Bamasaba cultural governance. Community leaders and elders have repeatedly called for unity, warning that prolonged rivalry risks undermining the very heritage the ceremony seeks to preserve. 

For many who journeyed to Mutoto, the focus remained on the initiates’ courage and the continuity of a rite that defines manhood, identity, and belonging for the Bamasaba people—even as questions linger over who holds the rightful voice at the sacred grounds.

See Video-Speaker Oboth-Oboth Whisked Away as Imbalu Men with Huge Sticks Storm VIP & Overpower Security in Mutoto

Chaos erupted at the traditional Imbalu launch ceremony on Saturday afternoon when traditional Kadodi dancers and Imbalu candidates, armed with large sticks and drums, charged the VIP section, forcing Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oboth-Oboth to be hurriedly whisked away by security.

The Speaker, who was the chief guest representing President Yoweri Museveni, had just begun reading the presidential message when the situation turned hostile. A large group of revelers escorting the circumcision candidates broke through security lines and surged toward the raised platform where Oboth-Oboth and other dignitaries were seated. Security personnel struggled to hold back the crowd before extracting the Speaker from the grounds.

Eyewitnesses and organisers said the disruption stemmed from delays in the programme. It was time for the candidates to proceed to the nearby swamp for the sacred Khuwakha Litosi ritual  the traditional mudding ceremony that prepares boys for circumcision and links them to ancestral spirits. Instead, the prolonged speeches, including the Speaker’s address, held up the spiritual pathway.

“The Speaker’s speech came at a time when the candidates were supposed to be taken to the swamp for mudding,” said Emma Bwayo, secretary of the organising committee and Namisindwa District chairperson. He described the overall event as successful despite the incident.

Video:https://youtu.be/BEPvzX5NhlU?si=HZvPEZ5NH-CUdnYT

Joshua Mafabi, father of one of the candidates, confirmed that traditional dancers escorting the boys “tore through a VIP section and charged towards the Speaker. His security rescued him.”

This year’s Imbalu launch was organised by district chairpersons rather than a single cultural institution because of ongoing wrangles among parallel claimants to the Bamasaba cultural leadership. District leaders from across Bugisu, Members of Parliament from the sub-region, and the Kenyan Ambassador to Uganda were among those present.

Some locals attributed the unrest to deeper cultural sensitivities, claiming the presence of government officials who are not believed to have undergone traditional circumcision angered the ancestral spirits. Similar disruptions have occurred at Mutoto before; in 2022, Kadodi dancers also stormed the VIP area after organisers placed a tent across the spiritual path.

About 11 candidates from the BaMutoto clan underwent circumcision to officially open the 2026 Imbalu season. The rite, practiced every even year among the Bamasaba (Bagisu) on the slopes of Mount Elgon and in parts of western Kenya, marks the transition of boys aged 16 and above into manhood. Organisers expect more than 10,000 boys to be circumcised across Bugisu’s 26 clans by the end of the season. In 2024, the figure stood at approximately.

The Imbalu tradition is believed to date back to at least 1804, though oral history places its origins much earlier. The ceremony involves days of Kadodi drumming, dancing, feasting, and processions before the actual cutting.

Despite the dramatic interruption, organisers insisted the core cultural purpose of the day was fulfilled. The candidates completed their initiation, and the season was officially declared open. Speaker Oboth-Oboth’s early departure, however, became the defining image of the 2026 launch at Mutoto.

Snubbed at the Table: Only One MP Attends Umukuka Mudoma’s Pre-Imbalu Dinner as Majority, Including LC5s, Boycott the Event

MBALE — In a stark display of the deepening rift within Bugisu’s cultural and political leadership, only one Member of Parliament from the entire sub-region showed up at a high-profile dinner hosted by Umukuka III Jude Mike Mudoma on Friday evening, as fellow MPs, district LC5 chairpersons, and local leaders largely stayed away.

The exclusive dinner, held at Mount Elgon Hotel in Mbale City on the eve of the official launch of the 2026 Imbalu circumcision season, was intended as a unifying prelude to one of the Bagisu people’s most sacred traditional rites. Instead, it underscored months of simmering tensions over authority, funding, and the very legitimacy of the cultural institution’s leadership.

According to reports from the event, the sparsely attended gathering still drew other cultural dignitaries. Among those present were His Highness Papa Paul Sande Emolot Etomeileng, the Emorimor of the Iteso Cultural Union, and His Majesty Isabaruuli Constantine Mwogezi Butamanya of the Buruuli Chiefdom, alongside officials from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. The ministry’s delegation, led by Assistant Commissioner for Family Affairs Lucy Otto, participated in the royal dinner marking the start of Imbalu-related activities. State Minister for Labour and Industrial Relations Simon Mulongo was expected to join later for the main launch.

Yet the near-total absence of Bugisu’s elected representatives and local government leaders spoke volumes. Sources close to the organisers confirmed that only a single MP from the sub-region — which covers districts including Mbale, Sironko, Manafwa, Bududa, Namisindwa, Bulambuli and parts of neighbouring areas — made an appearance. LC5 chairpersons and other local leaders who had been expected to lend official weight to the occasion stayed away.

The boycott comes against a backdrop of escalating disputes. In recent months, a section of Bugisu MPs has been accused by the Bugisu Cultural Institution (Bukuka) of attempting to strip the Umukuka of his traditional role in presiding over Imbalu ceremonies. Clan leaders, known as Bebikuka, have petitioned President Yoweri Museveni, warning that such moves threaten cultural heritage protected under the Constitution and the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act.

LC5 chairpersons have also voiced frustration over the handling of funds allocated for Imbalu preparations, including claims that only a fraction of expected resources reached the ground. Parallel leadership challenges within the cultural institution have further complicated matters, with the government earlier declaring the 2026 Imbalu launch a “neutral cultural event” to be overseen by district leaders rather than any rival Umukuka faction, in a bid to preserve peace and unity.

Today’s official launch at Mutoto Cultural Grounds in Mbale City is expected to feature the traditional circumcision of selected candidates from the BaMutoto clan, after which the rite will spread across the 26 Bamasaba clans. Reports circulating Saturday morning indicated that Umukuka Mudoma himself would not preside over or attend the main ceremony, consistent with the government’s neutral stance.

Despite the political cold shoulder, Mudoma has maintained a defiant posture in previous public statements, insisting on fulfilling his mandate and restoring unity among the Bamasaba. Supporters argue that the low turnout at the dinner reflects political manoeuvring rather than a rejection of the culture itself, pointing to the presence of visiting cultural leaders and ministry officials as evidence of broader recognition.

Critics within the region counter that the Umukuka’s leadership style, decisions on institutional structures, and handling of preparations have alienated key stakeholders whose cooperation is essential for a successful and peaceful Imbalu season.

As thousands of Bagisu and visitors converge on Mutoto for the launch, the empty chairs at Friday’s dinner serve as a potent symbol of unresolved fractures. Whether the isolation of the cultural leader will affect the vibrancy of the season ahead — or force a reckoning among political and traditional authorities — remains one of the most closely watched questions in Bugisu today.

The 2026 Imbalu season, occurring once every two years in traditional cycles, is expected to draw participants and spectators from across Uganda and the diaspora, underscoring both the enduring power of the rite and the urgent need for reconciliation among those who claim to steward it.

Amb. Nekesa Barbara Oundo Champions Historic NRM Sweep as Party Clinches 77.8% in Bukedi Region in the Just Concluded LC1 elections

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has delivered a decisive performance in the Local Council I (LC1) chairperson elections across the Bukedi sub-region, capturing 1,936 out of 2,506 village seats — a commanding 77.3 percent share — according to provisional results released by the party.

NRM National Treasurer and Bukedi Sub-region Team Leader, Ambassador Nekesa Barbara Oundo, hailed the outcome as a clear endorsement of the ruling party’s grassroots mobilisation strategy and the confidence communities place in its leadership.

“The people of Bukedi have spoken loudly and clearly,” Ambassador Oundo said. “This sweeping victory reflects the hard work of our structures, the unity of our cadres, and the trust ordinary Ugandans have in the NRM’s track record of peace, development and service delivery. We thank the people of Bukedi for standing with us.”

The results show strong NRM majorities in all six districts of the sub-region:

Butebo: 228 out of 269 villages (85.1%)

Butaleja: 359 out of 443 villages (81.0%)

Pallisa: 401 out of 498 villages (80.5%)

Budaka: 257 out of 323 villages (79.6%)

Busia: 411 out of 568 villages (72.4%)

Kibuku: 280 out of 405 villages (69.1%)

Independents accounted for 526 seats (21.0%), while other candidates took a marginal share of the remainder.

Ambassador Oundo, who spearheaded intensive mobilisation efforts in the weeks leading up to the July 28 polls, attributed the strong showing to sustained engagement with local leaders, Members of Parliament, district officials and village-level structures. Party officials noted that hundreds of NRM flag bearers were returned unopposed in the sub-region, further underscoring organisational strength at the grassroots.

Political observers say the LC1 results reinforce the NRM’s long-standing dominance in Bukedi, a region where village leadership plays a central role in community mobilisation, local governance and the delivery of government programmes such as the Parish Development Model.

Ambassador Oundo expressed gratitude to the voters and called for continued unity as the party consolidates its structures ahead of subsequent electoral stages.

“This is not just a victory for the NRM; it is a victory for the people of Bukedi who chose continuity, stability and progress,” she said. “We remain committed to working with every village leader to transform lives and deliver on the promises of our manifesto.”

The LC1 elections form a critical foundation of Uganda’s decentralised governance system, with newly elected chairpersons expected to play key roles in community coordination and the implementation of national development initiatives.

Minister Odria, PS Amina Zawedde Tours UICT Nakawa, Pledge Push for Innovation Commercialization

Kampala, Uganda — In a high-profile orientation and familiarization visit today, Hon. Alioni Yorke Odria, State Minister for ICT in Charge of National Guidance, was hosted by the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT) at its Nakawa campus. The visit underscored the government’s renewed focus on strengthening ICT education, infrastructure, and the commercialization of homegrown innovations as pillars of Uganda’s digital transformation agenda.

Accompanied by Permanent Secretary Dr. Aminah Zawedde, Hon. Odria conducted an extensive tour of the institute’s ongoing infrastructure projects and cutting-edge learning facilities. The Minister inspected renovation works underway at the Administration Block, the Library, and the Accounts Office—projects aimed at modernizing the campus environment and improving service delivery for students and staff.

The highlight of the visit came as the Minister experienced immersive learning first-hand at UICT’s Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) Lab. There, he engaged with interactive simulations designed to enhance practical training in technology and related fields. He also toured the Electronics and Electricals Laboratory and the institute’s smart classrooms, which are equipped to support modern, technology-driven pedagogy.

The tour concluded at the National ICT Innovation Hub, UICT’s dedicated incubation centre for technology and ICT startups. The Hub serves as a critical platform for nurturing student and innovator ideas into viable products and services.

Addressing the team at the conclusion of the visit, Hon. Odria reaffirmed his commitment to championing the commercialization of innovations emerging from institutions such as UICT. He emphasized that turning research and prototypes into market-ready solutions is essential for accelerating Uganda’s digital economy and creating sustainable opportunities for young people.

“This visit has given me a clear picture of the progress and potential at UICT,” the Minister noted. “The infrastructure upgrades and specialized facilities we have seen today, especially the Innovation Hub, position the institute as a key driver of the skills and solutions our country needs. I am committed to supporting efforts that move innovations from the lab to the market.”

UICT leadership expressed appreciation for the Minister’s engagement, describing the visit as an important opportunity to align the institute’s development priorities with national ICT policy goals. Officials highlighted that continued government support for both physical infrastructure and innovation ecosystems will be vital as the institute expands its role in producing industry-ready graduates and fostering tech entrepreneurship.

The visit comes at a time when Uganda continues to prioritize digital transformation across education, public services, and the private sector. Stakeholders at UICT indicated that follow-up engagements are expected to focus on accelerating the commercialization pipeline and ensuring that renovated facilities and advanced labs deliver maximum impact for students and innovators.

Bugisu Caucus Boss Wakooli Petitions Museveni: “Back Imbalu!”

Your Excellency,

On behalf of many sons and daughters of Bugisu, I write with respect, loyalty, and hope. We remain grateful for your leadership and reaffirm our unwavering support for you and your Government. Our appeal is not born out of anger, but out of concern that our community often feels overlooked when matters of great cultural importance arise.

The Bamasaba say, “One finger cannot kill a louse.” National unity is built when every community feels seen, heard, and valued. Likewise, another African proverb reminds us that “When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion.” Uganda grows stronger when every region walks together.

Your Excellency, we respectfully wonder why important occasions in Bugisu often struggle to receive timely government attention. Whether it is official participation, facilitation, or support, assistance frequently arrives late or remains uncertain. This leaves many of our people asking whether Bugisu occupies the same place in the national family as other regions.

We understand that, like every community, Bugisu has had individuals who may have disappointed Government in one way or another. However, the mistakes of a few should never become the burden of an entire people. As another African proverb teaches, “When one branch dries, the whole tree is not dead.” The actions of a few sons and daughters should not define the loyalty, patriotism, and aspirations of the entire Bamasaba community.

Our sacred Imbalu cultural celebrations commence on the first Saturday of August 2026. This is not merely a regional event; it is a treasured national cultural heritage that promotes unity, tourism, and the identity of Uganda. As I write, many members of our community remain uncertain about the level of Government support for this important occasion.

We have also received information regarding financial support reportedly released by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. We are told that the Permanent Secretary of that Ministry channelled the little support available to an individual who is not among the organisers. We respectfully ask what informed that decision, especially after the Honourable Minister, together with leaders and elders, resolved that the Imbalu Independent Committee be in charge of everything, including the handling of financial matters.

We respectfully appeal for transparency and coordination so that any Government support reaches the officially mandated organising structures and serves its intended purpose for the benefit of the entire community.

Your Excellency, our request is simple: let Bugisu feel that it belongs. Let our cultural institutions receive timely recognition and support. Let our people know that their loyalty and contribution to Uganda are appreciated.

We remain hopeful because we know your commitment to national unity. We believe that every child of Uganda deserves a place at the national table and that no community should feel forgotten.

May God continue to bless you, bless the Bamasaba, and bless the Republic of Uganda.

Hon. Wakooli Godfrey Matembu

Member of Parliament, Butiru County, Manafwa

Chairperson, Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus

For God and My Country.