MBALE: The Bugisu Twenty-Six Clan Leaders & Elders of Bugisu region held a meeting on Wednesday 14th September, 2022 at Bungokho Clan- Mbale District to discuss and resolve on the impasse concerning the Cultural Leadership and invoked Section 16 of the Institution of the Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act, 2011.
In a statement issued by the chairman Wabuya Difasi JohnThat having considered and analyzed the facts before us surrounding the Elected Umuguuga/Umukuuka III stalemate in the Cultural Institution of Bugisu and having noted that the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Report was presented to the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development with the resolutions of the Bugisu 26 Clan Leaders, Elders, Promoters, Religious Leaders, and LC V Chairpersons from Bugisu region and taking into account that the dispute has taken two years unresolved.
“We do resolve as the Bagisu 26 Clan Leaders and Elders as mandated by Law under Section 16 of the Institution of the Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act, 2011, that Gazzettement of Elder Jude Mike Mudoma who was legitimately and legally elected be implemented by the Hon. Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development as required by Section 6 of the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act of 2011 to avoid a vacuum
and unnecessary animosity among Bamasaaba due to lack of Cultural Leadership in Bugisu region”. Elders resolved.
All these reconciliation meetings were guided the Solicitor General Opinion ADM.7/172/01 dated 7th August 2019. The resolutions that were reached during reconciliation meetings, which were chaired by the Former State Minister for Gender and Culture, Ms. Peace Mutuuzo, at Mbale District headquarters on 18th March 2021, the meeting held in May 2021 in Kampala convened by Hon. Frank Tumwebaze and others that included Council of Elders, Church Leaders, Bugisu region Local Councils and Council of Elders of Inda Yo Mwambu.
The judgment of His Lordship Hon. Justice JESSE BYARUHANGA on 10th November 2020 in the Mbale High Court and Her Lordship Hon. Lady Justice MARGARET APINY on 5th September 2022 in Mbale High Court. All these were aimed at bringing an end to an impasse over the rightful successor to the INZU YA MASAABA of Bugisu.
The Bamasaaba have waited for this process of gazzetting by the Minister of Gender, Labour & Social Development. The lead-time has created a lot of unease among the Bamasaaba and should be closed very soon to avert the animosity that may arise.