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By staff Reporter
Mbale-Uganda- A burial ceremony in Mbale District turned chaotic on Sunday, February 8, 2026, when ministers linked to the Umukuuka wa Bugisu cultural institution faced public outrage from mourners.
The event took place during the burial of the late Watundi Washaki, father of Tony Wamakale, the recently elected LC5 Chairperson for Mbale District. What started as a respectful gathering quickly escalated when Culture Minister Moses along with other ministers affiliated with Umukuuka wa Bugisu referred to their institution in their addresses to the crowd.
Mourners responded with loud boos, chants, and interruptions, rejecting any mention of the contested Umukuuka wa Bugisu structure. The backlash reflected deep-seated community opposition to parallel or contested cultural leadership bodies in the region.
Under intense pressure from the crowd, the ministers issued an on-the-spot public apology for their remarks. In a striking concession, they went on to declare Inzu ya Masaaba as the sole recognized cultural institution representing the Bamasaaba people a statement that reportedly earned applause from parts of the gathering.
The dramatic moment underscored longstanding resistance in parts of the Bugisu community to what some view as imposed or alternative cultural frameworks. Observers described the reaction as a clear signal against politicizing cultural matters or introducing divisive institutional references at sensitive occasions like funerals.
Following the apology and declaration, the burial proceedings continued peacefully. Local elders and leaders used the opportunity to appeal for unity, mutual respect, and adherence to community consensus on cultural issues.
The episode occurs amid broader debates in the Bugisu sub-region over cultural institutions. Inzu ya Masaaba (House of Masaaba) has long served as the established cultural body for the Bamasaaba, while Umukuuka wa Bugisu currently led by HRH Jude Mike Mudoma has been promoted by some as a leadership institution, leading to disputes, legal challenges, and public divisions over naming, legitimacy, and authority.
Such controversies have previously involved elders, court cases, and calls for government clarification on the status of cultural leadership in the area.
Community voices at the burial emphasized the need to keep funerals free from institutional politics, prioritizing mourning, respect, and shared heritage.
The ceremony concluded without further disruption, but the incident is likely to fuel ongoing discussions about cultural unity and representation among the Bamasaaba people.
