By Our Staff Reporter

Uganda-Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
Members of Parliament from the Bugisu sub-region have agreed to intervene in the leadership dispute rocking Bakuka of Inzu Iya Basaba, seeking a peaceful resolution before the 2026 Imbalu circumcision ceremony.

The move is being led by the Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus under its Chairperson, Hon. Godfrey Wakooli Matembu, MP for Butiru County in Manafwa District. The caucus reached the decision amid mounting unease among lawmakers that the rival claims to the Bakuka seat could disrupt preparations for Imbalu, which is set for August 1, 2026.

The resolution was reached during the ongoing four-day induction seminar for Members of the 12th Parliament at Speke Resort Munyonyo, where the leadership row featured prominently in discussions among Bugisu legislators. MPs argued that dialogue, rather than confrontation, offers the surest path to preserving unity and safeguarding the cultural values of the Bamasaaba people.

As part of the plan, the caucus intends to hold consultations with both factions laying claim to the Bakuka of Inzu ya Basaba title, alongside other cultural stakeholders, in search of a lasting settlement.

Speaking on the matter, Hon. Wakooli described Imbalu as a major cultural event that deserves the full backing of Bamasaaba people everywhere. He called on the community to unite behind the ceremony, noting that a strong showing would help promote Bamasaaba culture internationally and draw tourism to the region.

He added that MPs from the area are committed to engaging both factions directly to identify the root of the dispute, with the aim of bringing the parties together ahead of this year’s Imbalu festivities.