By Musamali Arnold, Journalist
MBALE, Uganda – As the Bamasaba people gear up for the highly anticipated 2026 Imbalu circumcision season, a deepening leadership crisis threatens to fracture one of Uganda’s most iconic cultural rites, prompting journalist Musamali Arnold, on behalf of the public appeal to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for swift government intervention.
In a strongly worded opinion, veteran journalist Musamali Arnold has respectfully called upon the President to direct the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to issue clear, authoritative guidance on who holds the legitimate mandate to organise the sacred Imbalu ceremony at the historic Mutoto cultural grounds, scheduled for August.
“Both Umukuka Jude Mike Mudoma and Umukuka Joram Khambo Mayatsa currently maintain separate organising committees, creating confusion, tension, and the risk of parallel events that could undermine the unity and sanctity of this important tradition,” Arnold stated.
The dispute pits the gazetted Bugisu Cultural Institution, led by Umukuka III Jude Mike Mudoma, against a rival faction under Umukuka IV Joram Khambo Mayatsa, who was elected by a group of elders and clan leaders last year.
The rivals accuse Mudoma’s leadership of unilaterally altering the institution’s name from Inzu Ya Masaba to the Bugisu Cultural Institution, a move formalised through a Uganda Gazette publication.
Recent months have seen escalating confrontations at Mutoto, including security forces intervening to halt meetings by the Mayatsa-aligned group and verbal clashes over access to the grounds. Traditional surgeons (bashebi) affiliated with different factions have also found themselves at the centre of disputes.
Imbalu, the public male circumcision ceremony that serves as a rite of passage for Bagisu (Bamasaba) boys, typically draws thousands of participants and spectators every even-numbered year.
It is deeply rooted in Bamasaba identity and holds significant cultural, social, and increasingly, tourism value. The main launch usually takes place at Mutoto, regarded as the spiritual home of the tradition.
Cultural leaders from both sides have issued guidelines for the 2026 season, emphasising order, the prohibition of forced circumcisions, and efforts to protect young candidates. However, the existence of dual structures has fuelled fears of division, potential violence, and dilution of the ceremony’s authenticity.
Arnold’s appeal highlights the need for neutral arbitration to preserve peace. “Imbalu is not just a ceremony; it is the heartbeat of Bamasaba manhood and unity. Allowing this ambiguity to persist risks turning a proud cultural festival into a battleground for personal and factional interests,” he noted.
Government sources have previously encouraged cultural institutions to resolve internal matters amicably, with President Museveni himself once advising Bugisu leaders to prioritise unity and development.
As preparations intensify and registration of circumcision candidates continues, stakeholders are watching closely to see whether the Ministry will step in or if the rival factions can reach a compromise before the main events kick off in August 2026.
The coming weeks are expected to be decisive for the future governance of Imbalu and the broader cohesion of the Bamasaba cultural leadership.
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