PROFILE : WHO IS MOSES WAMBOGO ?

Moses Wambogo is a Ugandan National, Civil Servant in the government of the republic of Uganda, Former Commissioner in the office of the President, Businessman and seasoned politician. He is the current Mbale District National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairman.

Wambogo who hails from the Elgon region, in the Eastern part of Uganda is in mid 30s, and runs several businesses across the country under his company; Wambogo Technical services & Group of Companies, where he is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Wambogo comes from a prominent family of the late James Wapakhabulo Wambogo, the former Uganda’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Second Deputy Prime Minister and former Speaker of Parliament, the National assembly.

In early days, Wambogo went to schools in Mbale for his primary and secondary. He later went to Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) for his University education before joining businesses and government.

Wambogo is the chairman of lower central zone, under Bugisu Cooperative Union (BCU) Board, one of the outstanding cooperatives in the country. He is also a member of the executive committee of the Masaba cooperative Union (MCU) in Mbale.

Hon. Godfrey Wakooli Matembu Hails Supporters: Here Is The Heartfelt Appreciation from Bugisu Parliamentary Committee

Your Excellency, On behalf of the people of Bugisu and the Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus, allow me to express our deepest gratitude for honouring our rich cultural heritage through your representative. We sincerely thank you for accepting to send the message of Your Excellency to the Bamasaba people. It was a powerful demonstration of your love, respect, and commitment to our people.

We also thank the Rt. Hon. Speaker for graciously accepting to deliver Your Excellency's message.

Your presence reaffirmed that the Bamasaba remain an important part of the Ugandan family. We are truly grateful for your continued affection and support.

Your Excellency, we humbly apologize for the unfortunate events that unfolded during the ceremony. What happened was never intentional and was not directed at our distinguished guests. The programme extended beyond the scheduled time, and by the time the imbalu candidates approached the moment of facing the knife, our cultural customs had taken over.

In Bamasaba tradition, once that sacred moment arrives—typically around 2:00 p.m.—the candidates enter a state of complete commitment to the ritual. At that point, no one can stand in their way. To those unfamiliar with our culture, their actions may appear aggressive, but they are not acts of violence or disrespect. It is a deeply rooted cultural practice that has similarly surprised other distinguished guests in previous circumcision seasons.

The Bamasaba are a peaceful, hospitable, and welcoming people. As the African proverb says, "A river does not forget its source." Our culture is our source, and while we cherish it, we equally cherish and respect our national leaders and all our visitors.

We have learnt valuable lessons from this year's experience. Going forward, the organisers have resolved that all official speeches shall conclude by 12:00 noon to allow our guests ample time to witness the colourful cultural celebrations without any discomfort or misunderstanding.

Your Excellency, we regret that the circumstances prevented many from fully receiving your important message. Please accept our sincere apology and our assurance that the incident does not reflect the character or intentions of the Bamasaba people.

Thank you once again for your unwavering love, support, and leadership. May God continue to bless you and bless our motherland Uganda.

Hon Wakooli Godfrey Matembu.

Mp Butiru county, Manafwa District

Chairperson Bugisu parliamebtary caucus

Exposé: Sh98 Million Kadodi Sculpture at Mbale’s Sleeping Baby Roundabout Sparks Outrage Over Value for Money

MBALE — A Kadodi cultural sculpture installed at the Sleeping Baby roundabout off Tororo Road in Mbale City has ignited sharp public criticism after reports emerged that the project cost 98 million Ugandan shillings under the supervision of the city’s Senior Public Relations Officer, Mr. James Kutosi.

The sculpture, depicting elements of the traditional Bagisu Kadodi dance, was intended as a cultural landmark and tourist attraction celebrating the heritage of the Bamasaba people. Kadodi is a vibrant drumming and dance performance closely tied to the Imbalu circumcision ceremonies that define much of the region’s cultural identity. Similar installations have appeared at other roundabouts in the city as part of efforts to brand Mbale as a cultural destination.

According to information circulating widely on social media and local online platforms, the sculpture at the Sleeping Baby roundabout carried a price tag of Sh98 million. The figure has drawn immediate skepticism from residents, civil society voices, and online commentators who question whether the expenditure represents value for public funds.

Critics have pointed to the relatively modest scale of the installation and asked how such a sum was justified. Many have called for full disclosure of the procurement process, the identity of the contractor or artists involved, the breakdown of costs (materials, labour, transport, installation, and any related fees), and the technical specifications approved by city authorities. Some residents have described the amount as excessive for a single roadside sculpture, especially in a city facing competing demands for road maintenance, drainage, street lighting, and basic services.

Mr. James Kutosi, Mbale City’s Senior Public Relations Officer, is named in circulating reports as the official who supervised the project. Kutosi has previously spoken publicly on city matters, including revenue collection, recruitment exercises, and infrastructure concerns. At the time of writing, no detailed official statement from the Mbale City leadership or from Kutosi specifically addressing the Sh98 million figure, the procurement process, or the final audit of the sculpture project had been widely published.

The controversy touches on broader concerns about transparency in local government spending. Uganda’s Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) guidelines require competitive bidding, clear documentation, and value-for-money assessments for public projects. Residents and accountability advocates have urged the city to release the relevant tender documents, evaluation reports, and completion certificates so the public can assess whether proper procedures were followed.

Local voices on social media have mixed cultural pride with fiscal caution. While many welcome visible symbols of Bagisu identity in public spaces, they insist that cultural projects should not become vehicles for inflated costs. “We love our Kadodi and we want to see our culture celebrated,” one resident posted, “but 98 million for one sculpture needs explanation. Show us the receipts.”

The Sleeping Baby roundabout itself is a notable landmark on the Tororo Road corridor, a busy approach into Mbale. The decision to site a Kadodi sculpture there was presumably aimed at giving visitors an immediate cultural impression of the city. Whether the final product justifies the reported cost remains the central question now confronting city officials.

As pressure mounts, calls for an independent review or audit of the expenditure are growing. City authorities have yet to provide a comprehensive public accounting of the project. Until they do, the Sh98 million Kadodi sculpture risks becoming a symbol not of cultural celebration, but of unresolved questions about how public money is spent in Mbale City.

Explosive WhatsApp Leaks: Umukuka Mudoma Erupts as Journalist Musamali Arnold Freeman Exposes Alleged Diversion of Shs50m Imbalu Funds

Mbale — A firestorm of outrage has engulfed Bugisu’s cultural leadership after investigative journalist Musamali Arnold Freeman of Freeman News UG released WhatsApp messages that appear to corroborate claims of massive financial irregularity surrounding government support for the 2026 Imbalu launch.

The messages, circulating widely on social media and local platforms in recent days, have left Umukuka Jude Mike Mudoma fuming. Sources close to the cultural institution say the Umukuka is seething over what he views as a deliberate “explosion” of his office’s handling of funds, with the journalist squarely in his crosshairs.

What you Need to Know: 

According to multiple reports from the Imbalu organising committee — which includes LC5 chairpersons from across the Bugisu sub-region — the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development released Shs50 million to Umukuka Mudoma’s office to support preparations for the traditional circumcision launch at Mutoto Cultural Grounds. Only Shs16 million reportedly reached the committee, leaving a shortfall of approximately Shs34 million unaccounted for.

Committee members further alleged that revenue from exhibition spaces allocated to businesses during the celebrations was not remitted to the organisers. Some of the missing funds, according to sources, were redirected toward a high-profile pre-launch dinner at the upscale Mt. Elgon Hotel — an event that itself became a public relations disaster when the vast majority of invited MPs and LC5 chairpersons boycotted it, with only one legislator turning up.

Freeman’s reporting, which has relentlessly tracked the money trail and the resulting disarray, appears to have struck a raw nerve. The released WhatsApp exchanges — said to involve discussions around fund allocation, sponsor approaches, and internal directives — have intensified public pressure and left Mudoma’s office scrambling for damage control.

The timing could hardly have been worse. The allegations surfaced just days before the official Imbalu launch, throwing preparations into chaos. Organisers publicly appealed for support from well-wishers and development partners to salvage the event, warning that critical logistics, performances, and community mobilisation risked being compromised.

Mudoma’s response has been marked by visible anger rather than detailed public accountability. While a spokesperson earlier described the funds as having been “strategically distributed to maximise impact across related activities,” no comprehensive breakdown has been provided. Attempts by journalists, including Freeman, to obtain clearer answers have met limited success. Behind the scenes, sources indicate the cultural leader is particularly incensed at Freeman for what he sees as an aggressive exposé that has damaged his standing among the Bamasaba.

The controversy has deepened existing fractures within Bugisu’s cultural politics. Rival factions have long contested control of the Imbalu ceremonies and Mutoto grounds. Mudoma, recognised as Umukuka III of the gazetted Bugisu Cultural Institution, faced open hostility at the launch itself. Reports indicated he was barred from addressing the crowds at the sacred grounds and later organised an after-party at the cultural offices in Maluku that reportedly drew few attendees. Earlier, there were even claims he might launch the event virtually over fears of public backlash.

For many in Bugisu, the Imbalu is far more than a cultural spectacle. It is a defining rite of passage that affirms identity, courage, and communal bonds. Government funding for such events is intended to bolster heritage, tourism, and social cohesion in the Mt. Elgon region. Allegations that public money intended for the launch was partially diverted have therefore struck at the heart of trust in cultural leadership.

Local leaders and cultural enthusiasts have called for a full audit and transparent reporting on the Shs50 million. Social media has been flooded with demands for accountability, with many praising Freeman’s dogged reporting while others caution against personalising institutional failures.

As of now, the Umukuka’s office has not issued a comprehensive rebuttal to the specific claims in the leaked messages or the broader allegations of diversion. Freeman continues to stand by his reporting, framing it as a matter of public interest and the proper stewardship of resources meant for one of Bugisu’s most sacred traditions.

The episode leaves the Bamasaba community grappling with uncomfortable questions: how public funds for cultural preservation are managed, who holds cultural leaders to account, and whether the Imbalu season can proceed with the unity and dignity it demands when trust has been so publicly eroded.

This story is developing.

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.