By Our Staff Reporter

Mbale City | July 7, 2026
The Bamasaaba community, through elders of the Inzu Ya Masaaba Cultural Institution, has expressed concern over the use of foreign-language names on recently installed wildlife and animal monuments in Mbale City, arguing that the signage does not adequately reflect the language and cultural identity of the indigenous people of Masaabaland.

Elders Welcome Beautification, Push for Cultural Inclusion
Speaking on behalf of the institution, Nabutele Mathias, Prime Minister of the Inzu Ya Masaaba Cultural Institution, welcomed the initiative to beautify the city and promote tourism through wildlife monuments. However, he appealed to the relevant authorities to replace or complement the existing foreign-language labels with Lumasaaba nomenclature, saying this would preserve the community’s linguistic heritage while strengthening cultural tourism.

According to Nabutele, wildlife monuments provide an excellent opportunity to educate both residents and visitors about the rich vocabulary of the Lumasaaba language. He said children and young people should be able to learn the indigenous names of animals and other natural features as part of preserving their cultural identity.

“The Bamasaaba appreciate the efforts to promote tourism and environmental awareness through these monuments,” Nabutele said. “However, the names displayed should also reflect our indigenous language. Using Lumasaaba names will help preserve our language, educate the younger generation, and give visitors a deeper appreciation of our culture.”

Call to Involve Cultural Leaders and Language Experts
He further urged authorities responsible for the project to involve cultural leaders, language experts, elders, and the local community in identifying the correct Lumasaaba names before permanent signage is installed.

The Prime Minister noted that indigenous languages are an important part of Uganda’s cultural diversity and that incorporating local names into public monuments would support government efforts to preserve cultural heritage while promoting domestic and international tourism.

A Timely Appeal Amid Orthography Recognition Efforts
The appeal comes at a time when Lumasaaba and Lugisu orthographies are seeking independent recognition. Cultural leaders argue that the distinction makes it even more important for public institutions and local governments to accurately represent the indigenous language of the Bamasaaba people in public spaces.

Elders of the Inzu Ya Masaaba Cultural Institution believe that adopting Lumasaaba names on wildlife monuments would not only preserve the language for future generations but also create a unique cultural attraction for visitors to Mbale City and the wider Masaabaland region.

They have called upon the responsible authorities to work closely with the cultural institution in reviewing the inscriptions so that the monuments become symbols of both environmental conservation and the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of the Bamasaaba people.