As Bamasaaba, we believe that our creator, Muntu, and his wife, Seera, evolved from the caves of Mt. Elgon. Our culture, much like Christianity, upholds marriage between a man and a woman. Any politician seeking our votes during the 2026 General Elections must unequivocally prioritize and champion these values.
Political actors must craft their ideologies or political programs on real issues that affect their communities, such as poverty, unemployment, disease, education, health, and insecurity.
A clear road map on how to address the above may attract more public appeal to your political cause than support for homosexuality or other gender rights such as LGBTQ. Those who oppose LGBTQ rights will receive our votes, as such a vice can erode our culture and consequently society.
While as a cultural institution, we are restrained by law from making political statements or engaging in politics, we cannot sit idly by while our culture is being eroded away by influential politicians.
The youth sometimes listen to their so-called idols more than even their parents and cultural leaders. As custodians of our people’s culture, we must intervene promptly and guide our community on what is culturally acceptable and what is culturally forbidden.
Aware that cultural institutions exist to preserve the culture of their communities, certain statements flying around by European diplomats praising Hon. Bobi Wine as a champion of homosexuality rights in Uganda ought not to be left unattended.
The 2026 General Elections are approaching, and as a community, we ask politicians intending to contest or solicit our votes to come out clean and openly pronounce themselves on themes and topics forbidden by both our cultures and laws, such as homosexuality.
As Bamasaaba, we resoundingly challenge and hold everyone in disdain whose beliefs are contrary to our cultural aspirations.
It is equally unacceptable to imitate the practices of others. Our culture and biblical/Islamic beliefs will guide our children and grandchildren. Though we appreciate supplementary efforts such as the new statutes on homosexuality, even in the absence of such a law, we were determined to cling to our cultural beliefs as a guiding post in our sexual lives, just as Muntu and his wife Seera, our ancestors, did.
Free advice to those politicians in the National Unity Platform (NUP): please come out and clearly state your position. I am very much aware that even within an organization, individuals may have views and positions different from their party’s. I know people in NUP who are uncomfortable with the European support for LGBTQ rights that Mr. Bobi Wine is currently receiving from his “foreign” friends.
Before crossing the rivers Nile, Mpologoma, and Namatala, we shall cleanse them with Manafwa waters.
Steven Masiga is the spokesperson for Inzuya Masaba/Bamasaaba. Tel: 0782231577.
