By Our Reporter in Mbale City
In a fundraising dinner held on December 27, 2024, over 50,000,000 Ugandan Shillings was realized in both pledges and cash. This dinner was majorly organized by the Bamasaba in the diaspora community.
During the same dinner, the Umukuka singled out the Bamasaba in diaspora, particularly Prof. Florence Wakoko of the United States, Mr. and Mrs. Wakou, and IMKA President Hon. Michael Materesi and Hon. Prof. Wamuziri, for mobilizing the Bamasaba community.
The spokesperson of the Bamasaaba Cultural Institution, Mr. Steven Masiga, said contributions towards the radio station came from the following well-wishers:
- Prof. Florence Wakoko contributed 4M shillings (about 1000 USD)
- Hon. Michael Materesi contributed 2M shillings
- The Bamasaba in diaspora, represented by Engineer and Mrs. Wakou, contributed 3000 USD (over 10,000,000 Ugandan Shillings)
- Hon. Emmanuel Mutanje contributed 5,000,000 shillings
- Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus 5,000,000 shillings
- Kenyan Chapter, represented by Engineer Agnes on behalf of the team present, raised 700,000 Kenyan Shillings.
- Her Lordship Justice Bamugemeirere contributed 1,000,000 shillings
- Hon. Apollo Masika MP Namisindwa East contributed 1,000,000 shillings
- Hon. Bwayo Gabriel 500,000 shillings
- Hajji Kafoko 1,000,000 shillings
- Hajji Amir 200,000 shillings
- Mr. Nangoli, a coffee dealer, 500,000 shillings
- Dr. Mafumbo of Victoria University 200,000 shillings
- Hon. Manghali Irene Khainza and family 100,000 shillings
- Mr. Makatu Patrick 1.2M shillings
- Director Adhesives 1,000,000 shillings
- Mr. Mafumo 500,000 shillings
- PWD Bududa Tsesili 100,000 shillings
- Josephine Kisaka 500,000 shillings
- Mr. Wopuwa of Butiru 100,000 shillings
- Rt. Hon. Walimbwa Charles 200,000 shillings
- Mrs. Charles Walimbwa 200,000 shillings
- Mrs. Nabende 100,000 shillings
The following also pledged to contribute:
- The Speaker of the Parliament of the National Parliament of Kenya, Rt. Hon. Moses Wetangula, has pledged to make a significant contribution towards the purchase of the radio. He confirmed this recently while meeting with the Umukuka in Bungoma County during the send-off of his mother.
- All Members of Parliament from Bungoma have also pledged to contribute.
- The Regional Police Commander, Mr. Bosco Otim, has pledged to contribute.
- The Chief Administrative Officer of Rukungiri, Mr. Masokoyi Waswa, also pledged on behalf of fellow CAOs, among others.
In her remarks from the United States of America, delivered via Zoom, Prof. Florence Wakoko of Columbus State University and Inzuyamasaba Envoy to Canada and the USA said, “Today marks a milestone in the history of the cultural institution, a day when we are all gathered here to drum up support for the establishment of a radio station of Bukuku.
Your presence here is an eloquent testimony of the support and goodwill you have towards this idea and the Bamasaba people.” She concluded by saying that a link has been opened to continue with the solicitation of funds for the radio station called Go Fund Me.
Meanwhile, Catherine Bamugemeirere, who also gave a keynote address, highlighted the relevancy of unity among the Bamasaba people.
The Umukuka III, in his remarks, thanked the Government for supporting the people of Bulambuli displaced by landslides and said the radio station, once established, will overcome any communication gaps. His Highness saluted all the contributors to the function and preached for unity and development among his subjects.
The spokesperson of the Bamasaaba Cultural Institution thanked Bamasaba people for the good gesture exhibited towards the cultural institution, singling out those who came from the diaspora, paying over ten million shillings in the form of air tickets to come home to support the fundraising dinner, particularly Hon. Michael Materesi and Engineer Wakou and family.
He thanked Prof. Wakoko for supporting the dinner with 1000 USD, an equivalent of about 4M shillings, and recognized and thanked the efforts of those who have contributed to the success of today’s function, like Prof. Wamuziri and everybody listed above, Masiga said.
