Inzu ya Masaaba/Bugisu spokesman Steve Masiga…Photo/IP.
MBALE, Uganda (IP)
The spokesman of Inzu ya Bamasaaba has cautioned individuals eyeing the Umukuka III throne to respect the law and follow the formal process laid out under Uganda’s Cultural Leaders Act.
In a statement, spokesman Steven Masiga said the transition of cultural leadership begins with the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development which is required to publish a notice in the Uganda Gazette.
Without such a publication, he said, any attempts to declare or install a new Umukuka are unlawful.
“Section 7 of the Cultural Leaders Act is clear that the minister must cause publication in the Gazette once a cultural leader abdicates or lawfully loses interest in the throne,” Masiga said.
“Only then can the process of identifying another cultural leader begin.”
Masiga cited precedent, noting that in 2015, Umukuka I notified the ministry when his tenure ended and in June 2020, Umukuka II followed the same procedure, formally inviting the Gender Ministry to gazette his succession.
He warned that those moving around “trying to unlawfully procure” the title of Umukuka had failed to produce evidence of any such Gazette notice.
“Without following that, the whole process will be regarded as ab initio — very wrong from the beginning,” he said.
According to Masiga, once the ministry publishes the abdication or cessation, a search committee is convened by the reigning or outgoing Umukuka to guide the selection of a successor.
In case of disputes, he added, Article 246(2) of the Constitution and Sections 15 and 16 of the Cultural Leaders Act provide the legal framework for resolution.
Masiga said the reigning Umukuka is expected to flag off the next succession process in 2028 urging Bamasaaba to ignore those “on frolics of their own” and where necessary alert enforcement agencies.
The position of Umukuka, meaning “spiritual and cultural leader” of the Bamasaaba, was established in 2010 to unite the Bamasaaba people of eastern Uganda and their kin across the border in western Kenya.
The seat rotates among three traditional clans — Mwambu, Mubuya and Wanale — ensuring inclusivity in succession.
Beyond ceremonial duties, the Umukuka plays a key role in preserving Bamasaaba traditions including the famed “Imbalu “(male circumcision ritual )that marks the transition to manhood.
The office has also been a rallying point for cultural pride and unity even as internal wrangles sometimes test its cohesion.
“His Highness the Umukuka will in 2028 flag off such a process,” Masiga said.
“Until then, Bamasaaba should remain calm and focused on strengthening their heritage rather than entertaining those who seek shortcuts.”
