His Highness the Umukuka III of the Bamasaaba people, Jude Mike Mudoma, has advised Bamasaaba in the diaspora to stick to their culture. Speaking to Bamasaaba in America, the Umukuka III stated that “a community without culture is akin to a tree without roots; such a community cannot survive for long.”
The Bamasaaba gathered in their American association, the North American and Canadian Bamasaaba Association (NAMCA), which encompasses all Bamasaaba in both the USA and Canada. On the 25th, they celebrated their annual achievements as a community, with the day’s theme being “Enhancing Unity, Culture, Education, and Business Networking.”
The Umukuka was received in Oklahoma City by Hon. Prof. Florence Wakoko, the official Ambassador for American and Canadian issues, on behalf of all Bamasaaba in the world.
While in America, the Umukuka thanked the Bamasaaba in the diaspora for hosting him and for extending an invitation to him and his entourage.
His Highness the Umukuka explained to the audience the achievements of his leadership over the last two years and requested their support for the cultural institution in various ways. He highlighted accomplishments such as the construction and renovation of the cultural office back home, estimated at approximately 100 million Ugandan Shillings.
He has also designated important days for prayers, including Easter Monday, the anniversary coronation day, and Heritage Day on October 8th, under which they recognize Bamasaaba who have supported Bukuka and the bursary scheme, among other key initiatives.
He also informed Bamasaaba in the diaspora about criminal behaviors by some elders in his society, stating that such conduct can affect the moral fabric of the entire society.
He expressed appreciation for the role played by the Government, particularly the Minister of Gender, Hon. Betty Among, in correcting the cultural institution’s details from “Inzuymasaaba” to “Bugisu Cultural Institution” through a corrigenda published in March 2025, to bring the institution up to speed with the laws of Uganda.
“Corrigenda” is a Latin word that refers to corrections or errors, and this process cut across the whole country where all cultural institutions were corrected. This was revealed to this publication by Steven Masiga, the spokesperson of the Bamasaaba cultural institution.
Echoing the Umukuka’s submission on the corrigenda, Steven Masiga encouraged Bamasaaba to embrace changes as they come, stating, “We must be prepared to embrace changes, especially those changes done under the ambit of the law.”
The Umukuka was accompanied by his spouse, Her Royal Highness (Nabachelema) Annet Mudoma, and Hon. Charo, Minister for Religious Affairs, and some equerries.
