Wilson Wamimbi, the former cultural leader of Bugisu, has passed away, announced the Inzu ya Masaaba cultural institution on Friday. Alfred Geresom Musamali, the institution’s information minister, confirmed that Wamimbi had recently been admitted to a health facility in Namulanda, Wakiso district.
According to Musamali, Wamimbi, aged around 85 or 86, breathed his last on Friday evening. He expressed that more details regarding Wamimbi’s life, including his birth, education, career, and death, would be provided shortly.
Born in 1938 in Busano sub-county, Mbale district, Wamimbi pursued his education at Nabumali High School before training as a teacher at Kyambogo College. He furthered his studies at Makerere University, where he graduated with a degree in marketing.
Initially, Wamimbi worked as a marketing officer with Bugisu Co-operative Union before venturing into politics in 1987, where he served as the Mbale district chairman. Later, he represented Uganda as its High Commissioner to Canada during the 1990s.
In August 2010, Wamimbi was elected to the esteemed position of Umukhuka, triumphing over his sole opponent, Canon Codovia Wakiro, with 41 votes to 22. However, the election process faced challenges as delegates, including seven members from Babukusu in Kenya, questioned the selection method of the candidates by the cultural council.
The controversy surrounding the election was resolved with the intervention of key figures such as former Chief Justice George Masika and Prof. Timothy Wangusa, who affirmed the legitimacy of the selection process as per the cultural constitution.
Wamimbi’s election marked a significant moment for the Bamasaba people, who had endured a prolonged period without a recognized cultural institution since the 1960s. His ascension to the position of Umukhuka brought renewed hope and stability to the Bugisu community.
Throughout his reign, Wamimbi endeavored to uphold Bugisu traditions and foster unity among his people. His passing leaves behind a legacy of service and dedication to the Bugisu cultural heritage, and he will be remembered fondly by the community he served faithfully.
