His Highness the Umukuka III of the Bamasaba people has pledged to make efforts to ensure that Mbale city and the Bugisu region become a premier tourism destination.
These remarks were delivered by the spokesperson of the cultural institution, Mr. Steven Masiga, who represented His Highness, the Umukuka III, Jude Mike Mudoma, in a courtesy meeting between the Bugisu Cultural Institution leadership and the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB).
Mr. Steven Masiga welcomed the UTB delegation, which was led by its Chairperson, Ms. Pearl Kakooza. Other top officials present included the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Madam Juliana Kagwa, Mr. Vincent Operemo, Mr. Stephen Masaba Sanyi (the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Tourism and a member of the tourism board), Ms. Ida Wadda, Mr. Samora Semakula, Mr. Bradford Ochieng, and Mr. Kiyimba Rashid, among others.
Masiga provided the guests with a brief history of the cultural institution and its current efforts to promote the tourism potential of the Bamasaba people. He mentioned that the cultural institution has formally written to UNESCO to have the Imbalu of the Bamasaba people registered as an intangible cultural heritage. If successful, Imbalu would be the seventh cultural item in Uganda recognized by UNESCO, alongside the Kasubi Tombs (Masiro) of the Baganda people.
He also briefed the delegation on the government’s efforts to construct a cultural center at the Mutoto cultural site and the institution’s plan to enclose the site with a perimeter wall. Other initiatives being undertaken by the cultural institution include planting bamboo along riverbanks and protecting various endangered animal species. He concluded by inviting the tourism board to be a solid partner in promoting and marketing the tourism potential of Masaabaland.
Madam Juliana Kagwa proposed that “Malewa” (bamboo shoots) should also be protected by UNESCO. She then invited the UTB Chairperson, Ms. Pearl Kakooza, to address the cultural institution’s leadership.
In her remarks, Ms. Kakooza commended the institution for its tourism efforts and pledged the total support of the Uganda Tourism Board.
