Mr. Steven Masiga, Spokesperson of the Bugisu Cultural Institution, has told The Ankole Times that President Yoweri Museveni has fully executed his political promises to the Bamasaaba people, particularly those related to cultural matters. According to Masiga, this may have influenced recent voting patterns in the region.
“Politicians are put in office to make promises and fulfill them. My role is to communicate to our people the support extended by the Central Government to our communities. Through legislative enactments, many of these promises have been achieved,” Masiga said.
He cited the restoration of kingdoms and cultural institutions through the Traditional and Cultural Leaders Act, 2011, as a key milestone. The Bugisu Cultural Institution was restored under this legal framework. Bugisu previously had a cultural leader chosen in 1964, but the position was abolished under the 1967 Constitution and later restored under the 1995 Constitution.
Masiga noted that the President has supported the Bugisu region in various ways, which, as spokesperson, he has a duty to explain to the people.
In recent years, President Museveni has supported the Bamasaaba people with over 25 cows, particularly assisting those affected by landslides in Bulambuli District.
During last year’s Imbalu ceremony, the institution hosted high-level cultural visitors from countries such as Nigeria, Cameroon, and Ghana. According to Masiga, these visits were facilitated by the State. The visitors were provided with official transport and security while in Uganda, which enhanced the ceremony and demonstrated government goodwill toward the Bamasaaba.
He further stated that during the 2024 Imbalu ceremonies, the President contributed Shs 300 million in cash to support the event. Several clans participating in the Imbalu received cows as part of the support.
The President has also supported the Cultural Institution by providing official vehicles to His Highness the Umukuka III, Jude Mike Mudoma, and to previous cultural leaders. Additionally, he pledged to tarmac the Bududa Circular Flow Road and the Magale–Bukhaweka Road.
Through the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), the Bugisu Cultural Institution received 250 iPads, and another set of desktop computers is reportedly on the way. Four tractors for Bugisu have also been pledged by the President.
Masiga revealed that during a meeting with the President in November—attended by the Prime Minister, the spokesperson, the Umukuka, and his spouse—several requests were presented and approved. As a result of that visit, the President pledged to establish a public university in the heart of Mbale City, estimated to cost billions of shillings in construction.
He also cited the construction of Maumbe Mukhwana Memorial School and Wapakhabulo Memorial Technical College. The President fulfilled his promise to tarmac the Lwakhakha Road, and works on Nalugugu have commenced.
Other flagship projects include the Lukhonje Skilling Project, which is serving the Bugisu sub-region, and the Industrial Park in Mbale.
Masiga added that, as spokesperson of the Cultural Institution, he was given an additional assignment by the Umukuka to visit schools and lecture students on morality while encouraging continuous learning. He noted that the Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) programs are meeting their objectives as envisaged under various policy and legal frameworks.
The President also supported the relocation of people displaced by landslides from Bududa to Bulambuli and Kiryandongo districts. “As Bamasaaba, we cannot overlook this gesture and policy position of the government toward our people who were displaced by landslides,” Masiga said.
He further noted that the President supported the burial arrangements of Their Royal Highnesses Umukuka I and Umukuka II, contributing over Shs 300 million toward burial expenses and according them official burials.
“I must inform our people that constitutional promises, including those under National Objectives XIV and XXIV relating to socio-economic development and cultural well-being, have been implemented. As a community, we can now place other requests before the government. The elections were well conducted,” Masiga concluded.
