During the recently concluded second anniversary coronation of Umukuka III, Jude Mike Mudoma held at Mbale Resort on Saturday, October 4 several dignitaries and Bamasaaba from all walks of life gathered to celebrate. Some of the dignitaries in attendance came from the United States, Zambia, Cameroon, Indonesia, and Nigeria.
The Mufti of Uganda, His Eminence Shaban Mubajje, speaking at the function, expressed his happiness that Umukuka III is a unifier. Mubajje told the audience that he was among those involved in ensuring that Umukuka III was officially gazetted in 2023.
“We fought to reach where we are,” His Eminence Shaban Mubajje said.
Former State Minister Hon. Michael Werikhe was appointed by the Umukuka as chairman of the Cultural Wellness Committee, tasked with unifying the Bamasaaba. He thanked His Highness the Umukuka for the appointment and promised not to let him down.
Manafwa District Woman Member of Parliament and former Energy Minister, Hon. Mary Goretti Kitutu, said she played a role in pushing for the gazettement of His Highness the Umukuka in 2023.
Dr. Clet Wanduyi, the Deputy Prime Minister in the Bamasaaba Cultural Institution, addressed the audience in his official capacity. He wished His Highness the Umukuka a long and prosperous reign.
The Chief Administrative Officer of Rukungiri District, Mr. Masokoyi, expressed his appreciation to His Highness the Umukuka for uniting the Bamasaaba.
Hon. Emmanuel Biara, the Bulambuli County parliamentary aspirant, said that once elected, he would lobby for development and increased funding for cultural institutions.
Hon. Vincent Waboya, an independent parliamentary candidate for Budadiri East, pledged to support the cultural institution if elected.
Colonel Hebert, the head of the royal guards in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, conveyed his appreciation to the Umukuka for advocating peace and development in the Bugisu region.
The NRM chairman for Sironko also wished His Highness the Umukuka a long reign as he leads his people.
A Kenyan delegation present at the ceremony pledged to support the reign of His Highness the Umukuka.
Steven Masiga, the spokesperson for the Bamasaaba Cultural Institution, welcomed guests and said, “As a cultural institution, we are happy to celebrate our second year in office. I’m happy to report to the Ankole Times that the judiciary has agreed with us, and many of our cultural challenges will now be resolved using alternative dispute resolution (ADR).”
He called upon the Bamasaaba to embrace ADR and, above all, to refrain from grabbing land belonging to widows and other vulnerable communities.
“With this alternative justice system, Masaabaland is going to be a peaceful place,” he added.
Masiga also noted that the coronation ceremony was attended by State Minister for Gender, Peace Mutuuzo, who represented the President, as well as guests from the United States, Indonesia, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Zambia.
The function was graced by clan chairpersons, ministers of the cultural institution, and thousands of Bamasaaba. Cultural leaders from Teso and Buruli were also official guests of His Highness the Umukuka.
