The elders are requesting government support through their SACCO but are also determined to mobilize all Bamasaba people to benefit from the various government programs available.
Many elders in Masabaland and beyond are calling for the collective involvement of cultural leaders, from the clan level to the national level, in the sensitization of government programs. They believe that their absence in mobilization may be an affront to Article 21 of the constitution, which emphasizes equality in all spheres of influence.
Many elders, who spoke to The Ankole Times publication, believe that they are better mobilizers than the government and should be utilized to rally the masses to meaningfully participate in the numerous government programs, including healthcare, EMYOOGA, PDM, and education, among others.
Hon. Irene Khainza, an elder and former RDC of Manafwa, said, “As Bamasaba, we have a duty to mobilize our people to ensure they benefit from all these good government programs aimed at empowering our people and lifting them out of poverty.”
Recently, the government allocated approximately UGX 17,000,000 to help those affected by the Bududa landslides in Bulambuli, but according to available information, none of those who received the money have built even a toilet. It is believed that the money was misused, and, worse still, the cultural institution was not involved in guiding its subjects on how to use the funds properly.
The 26 clan chairmen will request an interface with the president to ensure that he is well-informed on the importance of using the cultural institution as a mobilization tool. “We were once youths, and even though we are no longer of that age, we will speak to our fellow youths in a way they will listen,” emphasized the Clan Chairman of Bugobero. “I was a youth about 30 years ago, and I am still a youth, though not in age,” he added.
The Inzuya Masaba/Bamasaba cultural institution controls over 2,000 clans under the formal leadership of the cultural leader. The Umukuka III will engage the clan leaders thoroughly to ensure that Masabaland is well mobilized to benefit from various government programs such as EMYOOGA, PDM, and others.
Mr. Steven Masiga, the spokesperson for the Bamasaba cultural institution, reported that the clan leaders also seek funding for their SACCO.
