By Reagan Nabutele

MBALE,UGANDA – Saturday, 1 August 2026.
Thousands of people from across Bugisu sub region, other parts of Uganda and neighbouring Kenya gathered at the historic Mutoto Cultural Grounds on Saturday for the official launch of the 2026 Imbalu season, marking the beginning of months of traditional initiation ceremonies among the Bamasaba.

The colourful ceremony brought together cultural leaders, government officials, politicians, traditional performers, community elders and culture enthusiasts, as Mutoto once again became the centre of attention in Bugisu.

The launch officially opened the 2026 Imbalu season with the public initiation of five boys from the Mutoto clan, setting the stage for circumcision ceremonies expected to take place across the wider Bugisu sub region in the coming months.

Imbalu, one of the most significant cultural traditions of the Bamasaba people, is regarded as a major rite of passage through which young men are traditionally welcomed into adulthood. The ceremonies are accompanied by Kadodi dances, traditional music, cultural rituals and community celebrations.

The ceremony also highlighted the strong cultural connections between the Bamasaba of Uganda and communities across the border in Kenya.
A Kenyan delegation led by Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Ababu Namwamba, attended the celebrations, representing Kenya and underscoring the historical and cultural links shared by communities around Mount Elgon.

Uganda’s central government was represented by the Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oboth Oboth, who attended as the government’s representative to deliver the President’s message to the gathering.

However, the official programme was briefly disrupted when the Speaker’s scheduled address coincided with a major traditional procession inside the arena, As traditional dancers and cultural groups moved through the grounds, the atmosphere became increasingly tense and crowded, prompting security personnel to intervene and escort the Speaker away from the podium.

The incident sparked discussion among cultural observers about the challenge of coordinating official government programmes with traditional rituals whose timing and procedures are determined by cultural customs.

Beyond the celebrations, the Imbalu launch also exposed the continuing disagreements surrounding cultural leadership in Bugisu.

The organising committee did not provide Umukuka Jude Mike Mudoma with an opportunity to address the congregation, despite his presence at the event.
The decision comes against the backdrop of long-running disagreements within Bamasaba cultural leadership, with rival cultural factions holding different positions over leadership and authority.

To avoid possible confrontation and ensure the smooth organisation of the 2026 celebrations, responsibility for coordinating the event had been placed under the Bugisu Local Council Five chairpersons, rather than being controlled by one cultural institution.

The launch also renewed calls for greater government investment in Mutoto Cultural Grounds.
The leader of the Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus Hon. Wakooli Godfrey Matembu called for the development of the site into a modern cultural and tourism facility capable of hosting major national and international cultural events.

Leaders argued that Mutoto’s importance goes beyond the annual Imbalu ceremony, noting its potential to promote tourism, preserve Bamasaba heritage and contribute to the economic development of the region.

With the launch now complete, the 2026 Imbalu season is expected to spread across the different clans of Bugisu, with thousands of young men anticipated to undergo the traditional rite of passage.

For the Bamasaba, Imbalu remains more than a public celebration. It is a deeply rooted cultural tradition that connects generations, preserves identity and reinforces the values of community, courage and adulthood.

As the Kadodi drums continue to echo across Bugisu in the months ahead, the Mutoto launch has once again demonstrated the enduring power of Imbalu to bring communities together while also highlighting the need for unity and cooperation among cultural and political leaders.

The 2026 Imbalu season has officially begun.