The spokesperson of the Bugisu cultural institution, Mr. Steven Masiga, has told this publication that a few disorganized individuals who habitually oppose the cultural institution are doing so for financial gain.
Masiga said this was evident in a recent letter addressed to the Gender Minister in which the authors pleaded to be put on the cultural payroll so they could receive the monthly Shs 60 million. “These people are only greedy for money and cannot truly serve Bugisu,” he said.
He added that courts of law have put a halt to disputes over Bukuka by summoning all disputants for mediation, which has already been fixed by the court.
Masiga accused the same people who have been attacking government efforts to gazette Umukuka of now rushing to government seeking exactly that gazettement. “Many of them have undermined government legislation on Umukuka — including the Constitution of Uganda and the Cultural Leaders Act — claiming they are above laws made by government,” he said.
“I have heard many say they believe only in the Inzu ymasaaba constitution and no other legislation,” Masiga continued. He described as “quite disturbing” a letter to the Gender Minister that cited the very laws they have been undermining.
Masiga appealed to the community to respect all legislation governing Bukuka. He said the Government of Uganda has enacted laws on Bukuka — notably Article 246 of the Constitution — and that the Uganda Law Reform Commission has clearly reflected those provisions in Lumasaba, stating: “Barangilisi be bukuka nawe be kiminiongo.”
He urged the Bamasaaba to avoid troublemakers and paid mercenaries who are fighting the leadership of Bukuka. “We remind them to renounce malice and embrace development. You can serve your community even when you are not a minister of Bukuka or Umukuka,” Masiga said.
Quoting a book he read a few years ago on the making of a modern mercenary, Masiga said a mercenary “refuses peace” because war is how he makes a living. He warned those paid to fight Bukuka to look for other assignments: “They will not succeed in destabilising Bukuka. We are well prepared to confront such negative groups made up of failed politicians and other radicals.”
Masiga added that the community has the capacity to deal with elements that threaten the prevailing cultural peace in Bugisu. “We cannot stand idly by while wrong elements desecrate Bukuka,” he warned.
