A recently released survey conducted by the Bugisu NGO Forum and its partners indicates that the Bamasaaba people are ranked lowest in voter literacy across Uganda, when compared with other national surveys on voter education.
Reacting to the survey, the spokesperson of the Bamasaaba Cultural Institution, Mr. Steven Masiga, stated, “Traditionally, we must welcome the findings from this study, and having welcomed them, I will then use them as a basis to make my submissions.”
Masiga explained, “Among the Bamasaaba people, when a visitor comes into your home, you welcome them before greeting them. We welcome this report as a cultural institution. I welcome the report on behalf of the cultural institution I represent here. In reaction to the findings of the study, we are going to request the Electoral Commission to involve us in voter education.”
He added, “I am indeed in agreement with the findings that the Obukukulu is the uniting voice of all Bamasaaba, and once we mobilize them to vote for candidates of their choice, this will lead to a higher voter turnout, unlike before.”
Masiga emphasized, “One of the core tasks of cultural institutions in Uganda is mobilizing our community to participate in government programs, and the issue of voter or civic education is also a government program. We shall work closely with the Electoral Commission (EC) to ensure that this time around, Bamasaaba have sufficient knowledge on voter education.”
Masiga further stated, “All government institutions must and should involve cultural institutions in their programs, and if we are left out, we shall not force ourselves on you, I must warn.”
He commended the Judiciary for working closely with the Bamasaaba Cultural Institution and other ministries and agencies like the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Tourism, AIDS Commission, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, and UNDP, among others. “Once we are involved, we shall also use all available media platforms at our disposal to inform our people with proper information,” Masiga noted.
Masiga also reported that he is the acting chairperson of all spokespersons of cultural and traditional institutions in Uganda. “I will convey any useful information to all my comrades,” Masiga concluded.
