The Bamasaba Cultural Institution has condemned the disruption that occurred during the official launch of the 2026 Imbalu circumcision season at Mutoto in Mbale City, describing the incident as unfortunate and cautioning leaders against turning cultural celebrations into political platforms.Speaking by telephone from Mbale City, the institution’s spokesperson, Steven Masiga, alleged that the treatment of the Guest of Honour, Rt. Hon. Oboth Oboth, during Saturday’s ceremony may have been influenced by political disagreements involving some Members of Parliament from the Bugisu sub-region.
Masiga claimed the institution had received information suggesting that political rivalries had spilled over into the cultural event. He alleged that some legislators were behind efforts to embarrass Oboth Oboth because of differences linked to national politics.According to Masiga, cultural ceremonies such as the Imbalu launch should remain focused on preserving and celebrating the traditions of the Bamasaba people rather than becoming arenas for political competition.”I saw people promoting themselves instead of promoting culture,” he said.Masiga also recalled a similar incident during the 2024 Imbalu launch, when the Minister of State for Tourism, Martin Wambuzi, who represented the government, was reportedly confronted by some political leaders.
He said officials, including the then Mbale Resident City Commissioner Asumin Nasike and Bamasaba Minister for Culture Moses Kutoi, intervened to prevent the situation from escalating.He further alleged that political statements made during the 2024 event undermined the purpose of the cultural ceremony.Regarding Saturday’s incident, Masiga said the cultural institution strongly condemns any attempts to disrupt important cultural functions or humiliate a representative of the President.”As a cultural institution, we condemn in the strongest terms possible any group of persons that makes a mockery of such a dignified cultural ceremony and humiliates a representative of the Head of State,” he said.Masiga apologized to the Umukuka of the Bamasaba and the Tieng Adhola for what transpired during the ceremony, saying the conduct did not reflect the values of the Bamasaba Cultural Institution or the wider Bamasaba community.
He argued that the incident should instead be attributed to a section of political leaders whom he accused of placing political interests above cultural unity.On behalf of the Bamasaba community, Masiga called on Bugisu Members of Parliament to individually apologize to Rt. Hon. Oboth Oboth, the cultural leaders of Bugisu and Budama, and President Yoweri Museveni.He also urged legislators from the region to avoid factional politics, saying divisions among leaders could undermine national unity and Parliament’s responsibility to serve the country.The allegations made by Masiga have not been independently verified, and the Members of Parliament referred to in his remarks had not publicly responded to the claims by the time of publication
