Mbale City, Uganda – In a significant move aimed at revitalizing the education sector in Masaabaland, His Highness the Umukuka III has officially launched an Education Committee that will oversee and spearhead education-related activities under the cultural leadership of Bukuka.
The committee, established during a meeting chaired by the Umukuka III himself, has been tasked with both immediate and long-term objectives. Key among its responsibilities is the organization of the Umukuka III Education Conference, slated for late September this year. The committee will also mobilize scholarships for academically gifted but financially disadvantaged students from Masaabaland and other regions.
According to resolutions passed in the meeting, the committee is expected to operate in collaboration with the Ministry of Education under Bukuka. The current Minister of Education in Bukuka, Hon. Samuel Kuloba, will work closely with the newly formed body to ensure its success.
The committee brings together a team of seasoned professionals with diverse backgrounds in education and leadership. Mr. Napokoli Sam Sakwa, a veteran language teacher who has previously taught in South Africa and Swaziland, was appointed interim chairperson. His vast experience in the education sector both locally and internationally makes him a strong candidate to lead the committee in its formative phase.
Serving as secretary to the committee is Mr. Steven Masiga, the current spokesperson for Bukuka and a staff member at Makerere University’s Department of Community Education. Masiga is an accomplished academic with a Bachelor’s degree in Arts, a Diploma in Education, a Master’s in Administration, and a Law degree. He is also pursuing a PhD and is widely recognized for his contributions to community education.
Among the committee members is Hon. Reverend Titus Kutosi, a lecturer at Uganda Christian University (UCU), Mbale Campus, and a member of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda. Another member, Mr. Wangwanyi, is a retired primary school headteacher from Buwalasi with decades of experience in grassroots education leadership.
The committee is expected to consist of 11 members in total. According to Mr. Masiga, additional members will be appointed or co-opted as the committee begins its work.
“This is just the beginning,” Masiga said. “We expect to bring more qualified individuals on board to ensure that the committee is inclusive and representative of the region’s education needs.”
The formation of the Education Committee marks a new chapter in Bugisu’s cultural leadership, aligning traditional authority with modern development goals, particularly in education.
