Steven Masiga, Mbale City (UG) – African cultural leaders who converged in Mbale City to witness the launch of the imbalu ceremony of the Bamasaba people on 3rd August have praised the Ugandan media platforms, including newspapers, online platforms, and televisions, for their excellent editorial service to cultural institutions. They asked the ancestors to reward the reporters, news collectors, editors, and news anchors with twins a thousandfold.
The kings and traditional leaders have praised Ugandan media platforms for their dedicated service towards the promotion of the culture of the Bamasaba people of Uganda and Kenya, who number over 20 million natives.
The following media platforms gave powerful editorial emphasis on the imbalu launch. Their editorial architecture and spirit ensured that news on Bamasaba culture was a daily menu for anyone tuning in or opening a newspaper page.
Television Stations
Nation Television (NTV) gave strong editorial support to telecast its news to the country, particularly to the Bamasaba people in Uganda and beyond. Such dedicated coverage gave the imbalu program extensive media mileage on the screens for a full week, flashing news on the Bamasaba people and the imbalu launch at every interval. When their royal majesties arrived at the airport, NTV broadcasted it to the country. They also informed the country about the preparations for the imbalu launch and the readiness for the same. NTV provided previous highlights like the rendition of the Anthem of the Bamasaba people, where its author was given significant media publicity. Except for NTV, nobody had bothered to bring such lyrical efforts on the Bamasaba anthem into people’s living rooms.
Baba Television, which is Jinja-based, has elevated the culture of the Bamasaba people. Through its anchors and news collectors, Bamasaba people in both Bugisu and areas like Jinja, Kiryandongo, and Kayunga have followed every aspect of the imbalu program launch.
Salt Television, through its Mbale news collectors, has incessantly given free coverage to the Bamasaba cultural programs, including morning updates to the country every morning at 7 am. Their reporters brave the cold to ensure people know what is going on.
NBS Television has also informed its viewers about cultural happenings around Masabaland.
Uganda Television (UBC TV) has kept its viewers informed about Bamasaba cultural programs.
BBS has also been on the ground, keeping its viewers updated about Bamasaba cultural festivities.
Radio Stations
Radio stations have on all occasions given free airtime to support the Bamasaba people and their culture. Key among these radio stations include:
- Uganda Radio Broadcasting Corporation (UBC): This government-owned radio station has allocated 20 minutes of its prime time to the Bamasaba spokesperson every Monday morning, providing updates about Bamasaba cultural programs in the region.
- Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) FM: This station has allocated four hours of free airtime every month from 5 to 6 pm for the Bamasaba cultural leadership to communicate with its people in the region.
- Signal FM: Based in Mbale and operating within East Uganda, it has allocated four hours of its prime time in the evening from 8 to 9 pm for the Bamasaba cultural leadership to communicate to the Bamasaba people about culture and societal morals.
- Bugisu Cooperative Union Radio Station: Management has given one hour per week to Bamasaba cultural institution leaders to talk to the people. This program is aired every Thursday between 7 to 8 pm.
- Other radio stations like OPG, Step Radio, Time FM, and Big FM have constantly aired news items related to the cultural institution.
Newspapers
Particularly, Daily Monitor and New Vision have given their best efforts, incessantly updating the country about happenings in Masabaland.
Online Platforms
- The Daily Express is unrivaled in supporting Bamasaba cultural programs. Its editors have ensured no news on the Bamasaba people stays unpublished. They have closely and professionally covered the Bamasaba cultural institution since 2021, now three years committed to promoting the culture of the Bamasaba people.
- The Ankole Times has also ensured that any story on the Bamasaba people stays in the limelight, so Ugandans across the country are informed about what is happening around Bugisu.
- The Standard News Uganda has been supportive in its editorial approach towards the cultural institution.
Other platforms like the Bugisu Intellectual Forum of CEO Medie Musosi, the Clock Tower Updates of Yasin, Mulyamboli and his YouTube updates, the Mukwalafu Updates by Mr. Weswa on his YouTube channel, Kulubya YouTube updates, Mbale Express, and the Spotlight Updates of Mr. Nangalama partnered with the Ministry of Works and Tourism. Lastly, the Inzu Yamasaba WhatsApp group hosts notable Bamasaba members, numbering about 500 persons.
The Bamasaba cultural and traditional leaders included the Umukuka of Bamasaba people, His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma; the Wanga King, His Royal Highness Peter Mumia; the kings of Nigeria and Ghana; the Kumam King; the Acholi King; and cultural delegations from Sebei and Busoga, among others. These African kings converged in Mutoto, Mbale City, accompanying the Bamasaba cultural leader, His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma, to launch the imbalu ceremony on August 3rd, with the theme “A March to Manhood.”
The free publicity given by these platforms enabled the launch to attract millions of enthusiasts from Uganda and beyond. The supportive media environment allowed people to publish without any restraint from any official. We thank everyone for their efforts.
The writer is the spokesperson for the Bamasaba cultural institution.
