The spokesperson of the Bugisu Cultural Institution, Hon. Steven Masiga, has told The Ankole Times by telephone that the efforts of His Highness the Ssebaluuli to mediate in the Bugisu Cultural Institution’s leadership dispute are welcome on several grounds.
Masiga said that those seeking mediation from His Highness the Ssebaluuli have several court petitions against the current cultural leadership, which they have failed to pursue in court. He noted that once a matter is before court, it cannot be abandoned midway to begin moving around the country in search of mediators.
“Who said petitioners can decide mediators for court?” Masiga wondered.
This follows efforts by the King of Buruli to offer himself as a mediator, a story that appeared in New Vision on Monday, 9th February.
Masiga said that in 2023, the government gazetted the current Umukuka, His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma, following High Court guidance and resolutions by clan elders. He added that many people who were dissatisfied with this process petitioned court, and if they were indeed bona fide petitioners, they should not abandon the court process and rush to the King of Buruli.
“Bugisu has its own king, and we shall not allow any trespass into our cultural matters by anybody, regardless of their calibre,” Masiga said.
Those who petitioned court include Mzee Wagabyalire, Mzee Sakwa, and others who are now seeking intervention from Buruli.
According to Masiga, this conduct amounts to disrespect of court and borders on contempt of court.
He explained that mediation regulations in Uganda require that courts should not be arm-twisted in determining who will mediate a matter. The court alone decides, at its own volition, whom it can appoint to mediate any case before it. He added that no purported mediator should impose himself on matters already before court, and warned against misleading His Highness the Ssebaluuli.
Masiga appealed to His Highness the Ssebaluuli to respect court processes and rules on mediation, noting that if court decides to appoint him for any reason, that would be acceptable, but he should not pressure the court.
“As a cultural institution, it would be good practice for their Highnesses to engage directly on this issue rather than rushing to the media,” Masiga said.
He expressed concern that anyone who disagrees with the current leadership of Bugisu rushes to Buruli, questioning why Buruli is being used as a launch pad against Bugisu.
“We shall investigate deeply why our people who are opposed to us rush to Buruli. We have several reasons, but in the interest of cultural diplomacy, we shall not divulge them. I know the origin properly as spokesperson,” Masiga said.
