Bugisu region LCV chairpersons resolve to close offices of two purported Masaba cultural leaders.

By Weswa Ronnie

Local council five chairpersons from six districts at Bugisu region have resolved to close two offices occupied by two purported cultural leaders of Masaba cultural institution.

It’s now two years as Mike Mudoma who purports as true elected Masaba cultural leader with his created cabinet operating from former Bungokho  Mutoto sub county head offices as their head offices near  cultural site as John Amuram  Wagabyalile  also operate  from  Masaba cultural institution offices located at Malukhu , Industrial city division in Mbale city.

According to the government of Uganda under the ministry of gender labor social development, so far there is no cultural leader in Masaba until the two rivals agree on one person before the government gazetting that particular one.

Kosea Kimono Kigai the LCV chairperson of Manafwa district also the chairperson of LCV chairpersons at Bugisu region while speaking during consultative meeting at  Mbale district head offices located at Malukhu in Mbale city  over the weekend  said that  since the death of Bob Mushikori the II outgoing cultural leader of Masaba cultural institution  in 2021 , it has become a problem to replace him after Mike Mudoma and John Amuram Wagabyalile  both claim as legitimate elected   cultural leaders which has created confusion.

Kigai said  that the government under the ministry of gender, labor and social development , religious leaders and stakeholders at several times have tried to engage the two such that one can leave for the other one  for gazetting  but no positive results  up to now .

‘’Since Masaba cultural institution was created by the district councils of Mbale, Bududa, Manafwa, Bulambuli and Sironko in 2009, as LCV chairpersons have a stake to determine or to get a solution to the messes which are going on in the institution’’ Mr. Kigai said.

Muhamed Mafabi the LCV chairperson of Mbale district during the meeting said  that they have unanimously resolved   to close the two offices starting today Monday since both cultural leaders who have occupied there are illegally according to the government.

He added that after closing, they are going to convene the meeting with 26 clan chairpersons forming   Masaba cultural institution and decide whether to select one of the two after analyzing the way they were elected or organize fresh election and send one name to ministry of gender for gazettemet.

John Faith Magola Member of Parliament representing Bungokho North constituency in Mbale district also secretary for Bugisu parliamentary concurs   says that district councils must also make amendments in the constitution of Masaba cultural institution about election.

He adds that according to the constitution cultural leaders are elected by delegates from 26 clans rather than district councils which might bring all these confusions.

Mr . Magola said   ‘’If district councils are mandated to elect the cultural leaders at Masaba cultural institution, this is going to avoid future conflicts and confusion about the election of new cultural leaders’’.

Isaac Katenya the Mp for  Bulambuli county in Bulambuli district also says that they have instructed the police to implement the resolutions by arresting any purported  cultural leader who will be defying thes resolutions and continue operating from those offices which have been closed  .

Mr Katanya said ‘’ I blame political leaders for politicking Masaba cultural institutions as one of the reasons which has created confusion’’.

Katenya added that some people believe John Amuram Wagabyalile is affiliated to FDC as he is not capable of being a cultural leader as other paint Mike Mudoma of NRM.

John Musila Mp representing Bubulo east constituency in Namisindwa district said ‘’Bugisu region is missing lots of things from the government since it has no cultural leader’’.

Rogers Taitika the Elgon region police spokesperson has pledged to put resolution actions if they have been passed legally since their work as police is to keep law and order.  

However, Geoffrey Wepondi the prime minister of Masaba cultural institution has cautioned the LCV chairperson to stop pocking their nose into Masaba cultural institution affairs.

Mr Wepondi said ‘’ It’s  true Masaba cultural institution was put in place by five Bugisu district councils but it  doesn’t mean that the institution is under them’’.  

Wepondi threatened to sue those LCV chairpersons in case they temp to close Masaba cultural institution offices located at Malukhu where John Amuram Wagabyalile sits since by law he was elected legally.