*Bugisu Caucus Chair Wakooli to Table Motion for World-Class Development of Historic Mutoto Cultural Grounds as Tourism Hub and Centre for All Masaba Traditional Events* 

By Our Reporter: 

MBALE — Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus Chairperson and Butiru County MP Hon. Godfrey Matembu Wakooli has announced plans to move a motion on the floor of Parliament seeking the full development of the historic Mutoto Cultural Grounds in Mbale City.

The site, he said, should be transformed into a modern centre for all traditional events across Masaba land and a premier cultural tourism attraction.

Hon. Wakooli made the remarks yesterday during the official launch of the 2026 Imbalu circumcision season at the Mutoto Cultural Grounds, the traditional starting point of the Bamasaaba rite of passage. The ceremony, which drew thousands of Bamasaaba from Uganda and their Bukusu kin from Kenya, marked the formal opening of the biennial Imbalu season that will spread across the 26 clans of Bugisu until December.

Speaking amid the colourful celebrations that featured traditional music, dance, processions, and the initiation of the first candidates, Wakooli stressed that Mutoto holds deep spiritual and historical significance for the Bamasaaba people. According to oral history, the grounds are linked to the origins of Imbalu among the descendants of Masaba, and circumcision ceremonies traditionally begin there before moving to other parts of the region.

“Mutoto is not just a piece of land; it is the heartbeat of our cultural identity,” Wakooli said. “It is time government recognises its potential and develops it properly so that it can host all our traditional events in a dignified, organised manner while also attracting tourists from across the world.”

The Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus chairperson outlined a vision for the site that includes permanent infrastructure such as modern amphitheatres or open-air stages suitable for cultural performances, proper sanitation and water facilities, access roads, parking, exhibition spaces for artisans, a cultural museum or interpretation centre, and amenities that would allow the grounds to function year-round as a tourism destination rather than only during Imbalu seasons.

He argued that developing Mutoto would serve dual purposes: preserving and promoting Bamasaaba heritage for future generations and creating economic opportunities through cultural tourism in the Bugisu sub-region. The area already draws large crowds every two years for Imbalu, and leaders believe proper investment could turn the site into a major attraction similar to other developed cultural centres in Uganda and the region.

The call comes as the 2026 Imbalu season officially kicked off with the traditional ceremonies at Mutoto. Organisers reported strong turnout, with security teams having inspected the grounds earlier to ensure a peaceful event. The Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus had earlier contributed UGX 25 million towards the launch preparations, underscoring the legislators’ commitment to cultural activities.

Wakooli indicated that the motion would seek government funding and partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, and local governments in the Bugisu districts. He expressed confidence that fellow MPs from the sub-region and beyond would support the initiative once tabled.

Cultural leaders and district chairpersons present at the launch welcomed the proposal. They noted that while Mutoto remains the sacred starting point for Imbalu, the grounds currently lack adequate facilities to handle large numbers of participants and visitors comfortably and safely over extended periods.

The development push aligns with broader efforts to strengthen cultural institutions and promote heritage tourism as a driver of local economic growth. If successful, the motion could pave the way for Mutoto to host not only Imbalu but also other Bamasaaba traditional ceremonies, festivals, educational programmes, and tourist activities throughout the year.

As the 2026 Imbalu season gathers momentum across Masaba land, attention will now turn to Parliament, where Hon. Wakooli is expected to formally move the motion in the coming weeks. For the Bamasaaba, the prospect of fully developed Mutoto Cultural Grounds represents both a recognition of their rich heritage and a tangible investment in the future of their cultural and economic landscape.