The Spokesperson of the Bugisu Cultural Institution (Bukuka), Steven Masiga, has appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to intervene in the ongoing dispute between Bugisu cultural leaders and Members of Parliament from the region over the powers of the Umukuka of Bugisu.
In a detailed letter addressed to President Museveni, Masiga accused some Bugisu MPs of attempting to undermine the legally recognised cultural leadership of His Highness the Umukuka Jude Mike Mudoma, saying their actions have created tension within the community.
Masiga praised President Museveni for supporting cultural institutions in Uganda and highlighted what he described as government contributions towards the development of Bugisu.
He cited support towards the burial of former Umukuka Emeritus Wilson Wamimbi in 2024, where he said government provided Shs150 million, and another Shs300 million contribution towards the 2024 Imbalu launch.
He also noted government support to communities in Bugisu, including infrastructure development, assistance to the Bunambutye resettlement camp, and continued engagement with cultural leaders through the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
According to Masiga, cultural institutions were restored in Uganda in 1995 after their abolition in 1967, describing the move as a major political commitment by President Museveni’s government.
He argued that the restoration of traditional leadership was later strengthened through Article 246 of the Constitution of Uganda and the Traditional and Cultural Leaders Act, 2011, which provides guidance on the recognition, roles, and operations of cultural institutions.
Dispute Over Umukuka Leadership
Masiga explained that Bugisu experienced leadership disagreements after the election of the current Umukuka, resulting in a three-year period without a recognised cultural leader.
He said the Ministry of Gender later invoked provisions of the Traditional and Cultural Leaders Act to facilitate mediation among Bugisu clan leaders, which eventually led to the gazetting of His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma as Umukuka of Bugisu in 2023.
He described Mudoma as the first Umukuka to assume office through the legal framework established by government, unlike previous leaders who were selected under traditional arrangements.
However, he said ongoing court cases concerning the process of selecting cultural leaders prevent him from commenting further on the matter.
Bukuka Warns Against Undermining Cultural Leadership
Masiga’s concerns follow a meeting held on July 9, 2026, where he claims Bugisu parliamentary caucus leaders declared that the Umukuka would not preside over Imbalu activities in the region.
He described the move as a serious threat to cultural leadership and compared it to historical conflicts that led to the abolition of cultural institutions in 1967.
“Whatever is given by law can only be taken away by law, but not by word of mouth,” Masiga said, arguing that MPs have no authority to remove powers granted to a cultural leader through legal processes.
He accused some legislators of politicising cultural matters and warned that such actions could divide the people of Bugisu.
Masiga also said efforts by State Minister for Gender Mary Kamuli Kutesa to advise MPs against acting outside the law were allegedly ignored.
Call for Unity in Bugisu
The Bukuka spokesperson said cultural leadership should remain independent from political competition, adding that the Umukuka’s role includes mobilising communities to participate in government programmes.
He recalled a 2025 meeting between the Umukuka’s delegation and President Museveni at the Mbale State Lodge, where they pledged to promote unity among the people of Bugisu and support government initiatives.
Masiga accused unnamed individuals of using rival cultural groups to create divisions in Bugisu, claiming some groups were funding activities aimed at challenging the gazetted cultural leadership.
He also called on authorities to take note of what he described as multiple claimants to Bugisu cultural leadership who allegedly receive financial support from different sources.
Clan Leaders Consider Protest
Masiga warned that Bugisu clan chairpersons were considering demonstrations against attempts to strip the Umukuka of his cultural powers, saying cultural matters should be handled through established clan structures.
He said the decision by some MPs to challenge the Umukuka’s authority was unacceptable and could lead to legal action for damages.
The spokesperson concluded by asking President Museveni to intervene, saying the community remains committed to cultural unity and peaceful leadership.
“The powers given by law can only be taken away by law. We reject any attempt to impose cultural leadership through political influence,” Masiga said.
