MBALE CITY: The spokesperson of the Bamasaba cultural institution, Steven Masiga, has claimed that some individuals expressing interest in the position of Umukuka do not qualify under traditional Bamasaba cultural norms and the institution’s eligibility requirements.
Speaking to The Ankole Times, Masiga specifically mentioned Washaki and Mayatsa, arguing that both face questions over their cultural eligibility because their mothers are reportedly from outside the Bamasaba community.
According to Masiga, Washaki was raised in Buganda, in the Kayunga/Bugerere area, and is believed to have undergone the traditional Imbalu circumcision ceremony outside Bugisu. He also claimed that Mayatsa spent most of his upbringing in Butaleja with his mother before returning to Bugisu in recent years.
Masiga said that, under conservative Bamasaba customs, a man who undergoes the traditional circumcision ritual outside Bugisu is not considered eligible to become Umukuka.
“A person who shed his circumcision blood on foreign soil is, by our culture, not eligible to become Umukuka,” Masiga said.
He further argued that some elders are concerned that a cultural leader whose mother is from another ethnic community could introduce foreign cultural practices into Bugisu.
Masiga cited a recent incident in which a prominent Member of Parliament from Bugisu reportedly stated that his mother underwent female genital mutilation (FGM), a practice Masiga said is not part of Bamasaba culture.
He also referred to the laws governing the Bamasaba cultural institution, saying they require anyone seeking the position of Umukuka to have been born and raised within the community.
“Some of the people challenging the current leadership were not born in Bugisu. Their placentas fell far away from Bugisu land,” Masiga claimed.
Masiga maintained that if traditional cultural requirements were strictly applied, many of those contesting the current leadership would not qualify for the position.
He challenged those aspiring for the cultural office to publicly disclose their family backgrounds.
“I want them to tell the Bamasaba where their mothers come from. Many of us were born here, and our mothers are from here, unlike these noisemakers,” he said.
The individuals mentioned had not publicly responded to Masiga’s claims by the time of publication.
Editor’s note: The claims made by Steven Masiga reflect his views and those of some cultural elders. those named should be given an opportunity to respond. Additionally, eligibility for cultural leadership is ultimately determined by the relevant cultural institution and applicable governing laws and procedures.
