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BY OUR STAFF REPORTER
Mbale, Uganda – February 11, 2026– The Inzu ya Masaaba (also known as Inzu ya Masaaba Cultural Institution), the cultural body representing the Bamasaaba (Bamasaba or Bagisu) people across eastern Uganda and western Kenya, has released a strongly worded press statement emphasizing standards of decorum, unity, and responsible public engagement among its cabinet members and leaders.
The statement, issued from the Office of Umukuuka IV in Mbale City, reaffirms the institution’s dedication to “high standards of cabinet decorum, non-toxic communication, and inclusive community engagement.” It positions cultural diplomacy as a “vital pillar for unity, respect, and public trust” within the Bamasaaba community, which spans districts in Uganda such as Mbale, Sironko, Bududa, Bulambuli, Manafwa, and Namisindwa, as well as parts of Bungoma and Trans Nzoia in Kenya.
Key highlights from the press release include reminders to cabinet ministers and deputies to exercise restraint, mutual respect, and consensus-building in their roles. The institution stressed that leadership legitimacy stems from these principles, urging leaders to avoid inflammatory or personalized language and to resolve differences through constructive dialogue instead of confrontation.
“All ministers serve as public ambassadors of Inzu ya Masaaba,” the statement noted. “Public remarks whether at cultural ceremonies, in media engagements, or on social platforms must promote unity, clarity of purpose, and cultural pride.” It further cautioned against presenting personal views as official institutional positions without proper authorization.
On internal governance, the release underscored the importance of collective responsibility, calling for disagreements to be addressed within established structures rather than aired publicly, which it described as detrimental to institutional cohesion and public confidence.
The institution also highlighted the centrality of inclusive community engagement, emphasizing patient, listening based interactions with elders, youth, alternative opinion holders, and other stakeholders. “Cultural leadership is sustained through consent and participation, not coercion,” it affirmed.
In a dedicated section, Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Nabutele Mathias extended gratitude to the Bamasaaba community in Uganda, Kenya, and the diaspora for their prayers and support following his appointment by Umukuuka IV Mayatsa Joram Khamboson. He pledged collaborative efforts to advance development initiatives and strengthen cultural and community services.
Rt. Hon. Nabutele further directed all cabinet and deputy ministers to prepare and submit short- and long-term work plans aligned with broader development frameworks, aiming for coordinated, accountable, and impactful service delivery.The statement concluded by reaffirming that the institution’s enduring strength lies in “moral leadership, humility, and respectful engagement,” calling on all leaders to safeguard the cultural legacy through disciplined conduct and inclusive service. It extended best wishes for a “successful and prosperous 2026 Bamasaaba cultural year.
“Inzu ya Masaaba, established around 2010–2011 to foster unity and development among the Bamasaaba, serves as the unifying cultural body for a community historically tied to the slopes of Mount Elgon (also called Mount Masaaba). The institution has navigated various internal dynamics and name-related discussions in recent years, while continuing to promote cultural preservation, including traditions like Imbalu circumcision rites, and cross-border cooperation between Ugandan and Kenyan Bamasaaba.
This latest guidance arrives as the community looks toward strengthened coordination and moral leadership in the new year, amid ongoing efforts to support development, cultural pride, and harmony across the region.
