Gender minister invites parallel Bamasaba cultural heads for dialogue

Mbale, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT  | The Gender, Labor and Social Development Minister, Frank Tumwebaze has invited the parallel Bamasaba cultural leaders for dialogue. In his April 16th, 2021 letter, Tumwebaze invites Jude Mike Mudoma and John Amran Wagabyalile for a consultative meeting at the Ministry headquarters on May 4th 2021.

Both Mudoma and Wagabyalile claim to be the legitimate leaders of the Bamasaba cultural Institution alias Inzu Ya Masaba. Mudoma was elected on October 13th, 2020 by a group of clan heads under the embattled Speaker, Nelson Wedaira while Mudoma was elected on December 11th the same year by the cultural council of Inzu Ya Masaba under the guidance of the late former Umukuka Bob Mushikori and Speaker, Sister Rose Nelima.

The government has since declined to recognise the two following protests among the Bamasaba allied to the different camps.  Now, Tumwebaze has proposed a meeting to try and find a solution to the dispute. Earlier meetings convened by the Cultural Affairs State Minister, Peace Mutuzo failed to yield results. The meeting will also involve legislators from Bugisu, Resident District Commissioners and LC V Chairperson.

Eric Mukhwana, the Spokesperson of Inzu Ya Masaba, says that Minister should have involved clan delegates who form the Electoral College for the Umukuka. He says the proposed meeting is likely to worsen the situation should the minister operate outside their constitution. 

He says the invitees have don’t have voting rights. He, however, says it is not late for the minister to involve the delegates in the consultative meeting to end the conflicts.

*******

URN