Umukuuka III Denounces Illegal Inzu Ya Masaaba General Assembly

Mbale, Uganda

By John Kusolo

The Umukuuka III of the Bamasaaba, Jude Mike Mudoma, has strongly denounced the purported General Assembly of the Inzu ya Masaaba (IYM) convened on Saturday, 28th December 2024, at Malukhu Lukhobo Hall in Mbale. The assembly, spearheaded by Difasi Wabuya, has been declared illegal by the cultural leader, sparking concerns over the misuse of cultural authority and its potential impact on unity within the Bamasaaba community.

The disputed assembly, attended by self-proclaimed delegates to the 3rd General Assembly of the IYM, resulted in the election of Nelson Wedaira as Speaker and Karim Muliro as Deputy Speaker. Both individuals had previously served under Umukuuka Mudoma’s cabinet. Difasi Wabuya, who organized the meeting, was described by Umukuuka Mudoma as a former leader of a transitional committee whose mandate had long expired.

Umukuuka Mudoma expressed grave concerns over the unauthorized nature of the meeting and its venue, raising questions about the role of Mbale District Local Government in hosting the event. The cultural leader emphasized that Wabuya lacked the legal mandate to convene such an assembly on behalf of the institution. He cited Section 16(2) of the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders (ITCL) Act, 2011, which criminalizes any unauthorized actions carried out in the name of the cultural leader.

In a detailed statement, Umukuuka Mudoma condemned the actions of those involved in organizing the illegal assembly, including outgoing Prime Minister Charles Walimbwa, as undermining the integrity and unity of the Bamasaaba. He declared the purported election of Wedaira and Muliro null and void, with no legal standing or effect.

“The Institution of the Umukuuka strongly denounces this unauthorized gathering. Such provocative actions are detrimental to the unity of the Bamasaaba and undermine the cultural authority that binds us as a people,” he stated.

The Umukuuka called on all stakeholders to respect the rule of law and the protocols established for the Institution of the Umukuuka under Uganda’s legal framework. He highlighted inconsistencies between the ITCL Act and the IYM Constitution, which have been a source of instability in the Bugisu sub-region. These inconsistencies, he noted, had been brought to the government’s attention, and guidance is awaited.

“Clarity on what constitutes the Institution of the Traditional or Cultural Leader within Uganda’s legal framework is critical. This misunderstanding has caused significant disruptions,” he added.

Umukuuka Mudoma urged the Bamasaaba, including those in Uganda, Kenya, and the diaspora, to work together to uphold the integrity of their cultural institution. He called for unity, cultural preservation, and collaborative efforts toward development.

He also encouraged the community to channel their ongoing debates into actionable resolutions. He proposed a structured approach to transform discussions into tangible outcomes:

Compiling key resolutions from discussions.

Refining them into a clear, concise document.

Presenting the resolutions formally to the Umukuuka, with media coverage to ensure transparency and accountability.

“This collaborative approach will demonstrate our commitment to progress and development in our region,” he remarked.

As the year 2024 comes to an end, Umukuuka Mudoma extended his best wishes to all Bamasaaba, urging them to embrace peace and unity. He reiterated his commitment to serving the community and fostering development in the Bugisu sub-region.

Contact Information

For more details, inquiries can be directed to:

Alfred Geresom Musamali

Minister for Information, Media, and Communications

Institution of the Umukuuka

Tel: (+256) 752-649519

Email: agmusamali@hotmail.com

The denouncement of the unauthorized Inzu ya Masaaba assembly by Umukuuka III Jude Mike Mudoma underscores the importance of upholding cultural and legal protocols. As the Bamasaaba community prepares for the new year, the cultural leader’s call for unity and constructive dialogue presents an opportunity to address longstanding issues and foster development for the benefit of all.