By Our Staff Reporter

Mbale, Uganda | 11 September 2026
The Bamasaaba community is mourning the death of Peter Kalibo Namaondo, an elder, agriculturist, culturalist and constitutionalist who played a role in the establishment of Inzu Ya Masaaba (IYM).

Namaondo, who hailed from Bushika, is remembered for his contribution to community service, agriculture and the development of an organised cultural institution for the Bamasaaba.

Published accounts on the history of Inzu Ya Masaaba list Peter K. Namaondo among the founding promoters who participated in the consultations and processes that led to the formal establishment of the institution in 2010.

A LIFE ROOTED IN AGRICULTURE AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Namaondo belonged to a generation that viewed agriculture as a foundation of family and community development.

His experience as an agriculturist, together with his involvement in the local-government structures of the former Greater Mbale, gave him a strong connection to rural communities and public service.

He is also remembered as a deep culturalist who believed that the identity and traditions of the Bamasaaba needed to be preserved through organised institutions and clear systems of leadership.

HIS ROLE IN INZU YA MASAABA
The establishment of Inzu Ya Masaaba followed years of consultations among elders, culturalists, professionals and community leaders who sought to create an institution that could unite Bamasaaba while respecting the different clans and ancestral families.

The first General Assembly was inaugurated on 30 June 2010, when the institutional framework was formally approved.

On 31 July 2010, Ambassador Wilson Weasa Wamimbi was elected as the first Umukuuka of Inzu Ya Masaaba.

The institution adopted a constitutional system of leadership, including a five-year term for the Umukuuka and rotation of leadership among the ancestral families.

For founding promoters such as Namaondo, the constitutional structure was important because it ensured that the institution would outlive individual leaders and serve future generations.

REMEMBERING NAMAONDO
Namaondo’s contribution goes beyond his involvement in the cultural institution.

To his family, he was a father, grandfather and great-grandfather, leaving behind a legacy that connects several generations.

He is remembered for values including hard work, agriculture, community service, cultural consciousness and respect for institutions.

His contribution also forms part of the wider history of Inzu Ya Masaaba, which continues to promote the cultural heritage and unity of the Bamasaaba in Uganda, Kenya and the diaspora.

As the Bamasaaba community mourns his passing, Namaondo’s name remains part of the generation that helped lay the foundations of Inzu Ya Masaaba.

Peter Kalibo Namaondo of Bushika will be remembered as an elder, agriculturist, cultural champion, constitutionalist and founding promoter of Inzu Ya Masaaba.

May his soul rest in peace.