MBALE CITY – The spokesperson of the Bugisu Cultural Institution, Steven Masiga, has called on the Chief Justice to take action against individuals he accuses of undermining ongoing mediation efforts aimed at resolving leadership disputes within the institution.
Masiga alleges that some individuals are continuing to present themselves as cultural leaders in Bugisu and collecting resources from members of the public despite government actions that reportedly deregistered and degazetted Inzu Ya Masaba.
Speaking to this publication, Masiga said he has been a strong advocate for mediation in the various court petitions challenging the leadership of His Royal Majesty Umukuka Jude Mike Mudoma. According to him, mediation remains the most appropriate avenue for resolving disputes concerning the Bugisu Cultural Institution.
He specifically cited Engineer Sakwa, one of the petitioners in the court cases, claiming that despite pursuing legal action, he has continued to promote various individuals as potential cultural leaders.
“Engineer Sakwa cannot impose a cultural leader on the people of Bugisu. The laws of Uganda provide the legal framework through which cultural leaders are recognized,” Masiga said.
Masiga emphasized that the Bugisu Cultural Institution derives its legitimacy from Article 246 of the Constitution and the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act, which govern the recognition and operation of cultural institutions in Uganda.
He expressed concern over what he described as the continued inaction against individuals allegedly holding themselves out as cultural leaders outside the ongoing mediation process.
“We are opposed to anyone undermining the mediation process. Such actions create confusion among the public and threaten efforts to achieve lasting peace within the institution,” he said.
Masiga further appealed to the Chief Justice and the Principal Judge to ensure that individuals not participating in the court-sanctioned mediation process refrain from presenting themselves as leaders of the Bugisu Cultural Institution.
He questioned the basis upon which some petitioners continue to promote alternative leadership candidates while simultaneously participating in court proceedings regarding the same matter.
“If those involved genuinely believe in mediation and cultural peace in Bugisu, they should respect the ongoing process and allow it to reach its conclusion,” he added.
According to Masiga, the current Umukuka, Jude Mike Mudoma, was gazetted by the government in 2023, after which a number of aggrieved individuals filed petitions challenging his leadership. He noted that mediation was later adopted as a mechanism to resolve the disputes in accordance with the law.
Masiga warned that continued interference with the mediation process could undermine preparations for important cultural activities, including the 2026 Imbalu circumcision ceremonies.
He urged authorities to ensure that anyone found deliberately frustrating mediation efforts is held accountable under the law.
Efforts to obtain comments from Engineer Sakwa and other individuals mentioned in the allegations were not immediately successful by the time of publication.
