By Our Reporter in Kampala (UG)
The Ministry of Tourism has dismissed as false the claims made by Hon. Nambeshe that it gave cash to the Bamasaaba Cultural Institution for the Imbalu festival.
Hon. Nambeshe made these claims during a parliamentary session, which was captured on video and has since gone viral. Mr. Bashir Hangi, the Public Relations Officer for the Ministry of Tourism, clarified that the ministry only provided technical support to the Bamasaaba Cultural Institution during the Imbalu launch last year.
Meanwhile, Steven Masiga, spokesperson for the Bamasaaba Cultural Institution, stated that many Members of Parliament from Bugisu pledged to fund the Imbalu festivities, but only a few fulfilled their pledges.
“As a cultural institution, and for political reasons, we shelved the list of those who did not fulfill their pledges,” Masiga explained. “Hon. Nambeshe should not take us down that path, as this information about those who didn’t contribute may have political implications, especially during this campaign period. Many Bamasaaba people are bitter with MPs who undermine Imbalu.”
Masiga also said that Hon. Nambeshe made damaging claims, which the cultural institution must respond to in order to demystify his falsehoods. One such claim was that the institution has created another cultural body, he said, is false and misleading.
“For example, why do MPs associate under the Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus (BPC)? When we say we are the Bagisu cultural institution, someone feels offended. Nobody can deny that we are Bagisu people, also known as Bamasaaba,” Masiga said.
He referenced the Constitution of Uganda, pointing out that Article 10(a) and the Third Schedule clearly refer to the people as Bagisu. This position is also maintained in Section 2(3) of the pre-independence Constitution of Uganda.
“Why do Members of Parliament from Bugisu describe their caucus as the Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus (BPC)? Because they are Bagisu by tribe, and we will not allow culture to be created through business companies,” he said.
“As a cultural institution, we reject any attempts by a few MPs to undermine Ugandan laws which they themselves enact. We expect this information to be at the fingertips of every Member of Parliament. If lawmakers ignore the laws they make, who will help to evangelize them across Uganda?” Masiga added.
He also referred to the video clip where Hon. Nambeshe talked about humble petitioners presenting a petition to the Speaker of Parliament.
“Hon. Nambeshe should be among those educating the Bamasaaba on the name changes from Inzu Y’Masaaba to Bugisu Cultural Institution, or bringing petitioners to the cultural institution for clarification, rather than rushing to badmouth Bukuka on the floor of Parliament,” Masiga concluded.
