The spokesperson for the Bamasaaba cultural institution, Mr. Steven Masiga, has issued a two-hour ultimatum to the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) of Masaka, Mr. Washaki Ahamada, demanding a public apology to the Bamasaaba cultural leader and the Bamasaaba people at large.
According to Masiga, RCC Washaki was heard in an audio recording on Saturday making disparaging remarks about the Bamasaaba cultural leader, His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma. The comments were reportedly made during the first anniversary commemoration of the late Wamimbi in Busano Sub-county.
“In the said audio, Washaki made very negative and disrespectful remarks about the Umukuka. As the Bamasaaba people, we have given him two hours to apologize for such uncultured behavior and for undermining the role of the government,” Masiga stated.
Masiga added that the RCC’s bitterness toward the Umukuka dates back to December 2024, when the cultural leader relieved him of his responsibilities over alleged underperformance and other related issues.
“Our thinking is that deployment is discretionary and cannot be forced. The Umukuka and his cabinet have a constitutional duty to mobilize people to participate in government programs. Any attempts to frustrate our efforts will not be treated lightly,” Masiga warned.
He further questioned why an RCC would sow division within the community by attacking the leadership of a legitimate cultural institution.
“RCCs and RDCs are supposed to support cultural institutions, not damage their image in the eyes of the population. Every Ugandan is called upon to defend the Constitution, and RDCs and RCCs have an even greater responsibility to do so, especially under Article 3,” Masiga noted.
He emphasized that the Umukuka of the Bamasaaba people was duly gazetted in accordance with Article 246 of the Constitution, the Cultural Leaders Act, and the customs and norms of the Bamasaaba people.
“An attack on the Umukuka is an attack on the entire Masaabaland. Why would an RCC criticize His Highness the Umukuka over a corrigendum that falls under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Gender? Why would he want to block the Minister from making necessary adjustments regarding the jurisdiction of cultural leaders across Uganda?” Masiga asked.
He warned that an RCC who can insult the Umukuka could just as easily insult any other cultural leader in Uganda and should therefore be closely monitored.
“We appeal to the authorities responsible for supervising the Masaka RCC to restrain him—before we escalate the matter to the Ministry of the Presidency for further guidance. We expect an RCC to conduct himself with the maturity of an elder, not with the behavior of a juvenile,” he concluded.
