By Our Staff Reporter

May 15, 2026
A fresh storm has erupted within the Bugisu cultural leadership after Umukuuka wa Bugisu, Jude Mike Mudoma, moved to launch what locals described as a parallel Imbalu organising committee at Mutoto Cultural Grounds ahead of the 2026 circumcision season.

The meeting, held yesterday at the former Bungokho-Mutoto Sub-county headquarters, was largely boycotted by members of the Bamutoto clan, the custodians responsible for producing boys for circumcision during the historic Imbalu ceremonies.

The gathering, which had been scheduled to begin in the morning hours, suffered a major setback due to poor attendance as many clan members refused to participate, citing unresolved disagreements with Mudoma’s leadership.

Mudoma eventually arrived at around 2pm under tight security following a heavy afternoon downpour and met only a small group of fewer than 15 people inside the venue.

Security deployment around the meeting venue remained high, with strict restrictions reportedly imposed on recording activities during the closed-door discussions.

According to local sources, the purpose of the meeting was to officially unveil Mr. Emma Watundu as the head of a newly formed Imbalu organising committee expected to oversee this year’s launch ceremonies at Mutoto Cultural Centre scheduled for August.

The move has since triggered criticism from sections of the Bamutoto clan who accuse Mudoma’s administration of sidelining traditional stakeholders and attempting to impose parallel structures within the cultural institution.

This development is also contrary to the earlier Imbalu organising committee established under Umukuuka IV Joram Mayatsa Hamboson of Inzu Ya Masaaba, which is headed by Hon. Davis Wakane together with Hussein Muwalasi of the Mutoto clan.

Meanwhile, Umukuuka IV Joram Mayatsa Hamboson yesterday presided over and blessed the thanksgiving and inauguration celebrations of Hon. John Musila following his swearing-in to the 12th Parliament of Uganda in Namisindwa District.

The cultural leader reportedly offered blessings for unity, leadership and development during the function attended by local leaders, supporters and members of the Bamasaba community.

Several residents who declined to attend the meeting claimed that their concerns have repeatedly been ignored since Mudoma assumed office as Umukuuka wa Bugisu.

Sam Magombe, a member of the Bamutoto clan, said the host clan has continuously been neglected during important cultural activities, despite its central role in the Imbalu tradition.

He noted that frustrations escalated during the previous Imbalu launch after members of the host clan reportedly felt dishonoured and excluded from key arrangements.

Another clan member, Shikyeni Robert Masokoi, questioned the decision to involve Emma Watundu in mobilising locals, saying the development had further deepened mistrust within the community.

Masokoi added that several parents within the clan are now reconsidering presenting their children for circumcision at Mutoto grounds if the current leadership continues to oversee the organisation of the ceremony.

The meeting reportedly lasted less than 30 minutes before Mudoma departed under heavy security without touring the cultural site as has been customary during previous visits.

Sources also alleged that promises of land allocation were made to some individuals during the brief engagement.

The latest developments have further exposed growing divisions between sections of the local community and the leadership of Bukuka Bwa Bugisu.

The tensions have also been amplified by recent decisions by several Bamasaba student associations in higher institutions of learning to invite alternative cultural leaders from Inzu Ya Masaaba to officiate at their ceremonies.

Some locals continue to insist that they should be identified culturally as “Bamasaba” rather than “Bagisu,” while others maintain that Mudoma’s tenure as cultural leader expired in October last year.