His Highness the Umukuka III of the Bamasaaba people, Jude Mike Mudoma, has praised the leadership of Mbale High School for being the pioneer secondary school in Bugisu to commence and champion the teaching of the Lumasaba Language.
Steven Masiga, the spokesperson of the Bamasaaba Cultural Institution, delivered the Umukuka’s appreciation to the learners and leadership of Mbale High School.
The spokesperson of the cultural institution was received by the Headmaster of Mbale High School, Mr. Wambalo Stephen. This was followed by the playing of the four anthems: East Africa, Uganda, Lumasaba, and Mbale High School. Thereafter, the student leadership welcomed the Headmaster. After the Headmaster had spoken, he invited the representative of the Umukuka to address the learners of Mbale High School.
In his message from the Umukuka, the spokesperson encouraged the learners to complete their education cycle from primary to university. He also reminded the Bamasaaba about the circumcision calendar, which is always in December of every even year (e.g., December 2026 and December 2028). He reassured them, stating, “There is no need to worry since you are culturally catered for with a special date for Imbalu. You want to study without fear over Imbalu; you have a special calendar,” he said.
He further informed them about the government loan schemes under the Higher Education Students Financing Board, especially for those who excel in sciences and those who enroll for tourism degree courses.
He also reported on the “Bukuka Education Fund,” where every Umumasaba in the United States of America (USA) will contribute about $120 per year towards education in Masaabaland.
In his message, the Umukuka’s spokesperson also preached against vices such as criminal behaviors like robbery, consumption of narcotics, and the formation of gangs in schools. Masiga stated, “These are unsupported by Ugandan law, and all our cultures and customs are against theft, robbery, and narcotics consumption. Therefore, nobody should attempt to go such a route since there are several statutory punishments for each of them, up to 14 years and beyond in prison.”
“The law does not segregate between a learner and a common criminal. Once you indulge in any criminal behavior, the enforcers of the law will come for you in any part of Uganda. As a cultural institution, we have a duty to guide you on responsible conduct in Masaabaland.”
“The cultural institution is enjoined by culture and the laws of Uganda to guide on morality in Masaabaland, and we shall move in all schools, even if it means moving on foot or crawling, we shall do that and talk to all our learners. We are the compass on morality,” Masiga said.
