Mbale, Uganda – The Bugisu Cultural Institution has dismissed claims that His Highness the Umukuka of Bugisu has endorsed any Member of Parliament from the region for the positions of Speaker or Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
Speaking to The Ankole Times, the institution’s spokesperson, Mr Steven Masiga, said the Umukuka has no mandate to endorse candidates for parliamentary leadership positions, describing the process as purely political.
Quoting the legal principle nemo dat quod habet, that one cannot give what they do not have, Mr Masiga said the Umukuka is not clothed with powers to influence or determine the election of the Speaker or Deputy Speaker.
“The election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker is a political process. As a cultural institution, we are restrained by the Constitution and the Institution of Traditional and Cultural Leaders Act from participating in or influencing political outcomes,” Mr Masiga said.
He added that while the Bugisu Cultural Institution works with government to ensure the region is fairly represented in national appointments, this does not extend to parliamentary leadership positions.
Mr Masiga emphasised that the institution does not discourage any Umumasaba from contesting for the positions of Speaker or Deputy Speaker but maintained that it cannot mobilise support for any candidate.
His remarks follow media reports, including interviews aired on NTV, suggesting that the cultural institution was backing certain candidates from Bugisu for the Deputy Speaker position.
“We wish well any Umumasaba who seeks these positions, but we do not have the power to influence the outcome,” Mr Masiga said.
