Snubbed at the Table: Only One MP Attends Umukuka Mudoma’s Pre-Imbalu Dinner as Majority, Including LC5s, Boycott the Event

MBALE — In a stark display of the deepening rift within Bugisu’s cultural and political leadership, only one Member of Parliament from the entire sub-region showed up at a high-profile dinner hosted by Umukuka III Jude Mike Mudoma on Friday evening, as fellow MPs, district LC5 chairpersons, and local leaders largely stayed away.

The exclusive dinner, held at Mount Elgon Hotel in Mbale City on the eve of the official launch of the 2026 Imbalu circumcision season, was intended as a unifying prelude to one of the Bagisu people’s most sacred traditional rites. Instead, it underscored months of simmering tensions over authority, funding, and the very legitimacy of the cultural institution’s leadership.

According to reports from the event, the sparsely attended gathering still drew other cultural dignitaries. Among those present were His Highness Papa Paul Sande Emolot Etomeileng, the Emorimor of the Iteso Cultural Union, and His Majesty Isabaruuli Constantine Mwogezi Butamanya of the Buruuli Chiefdom, alongside officials from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. The ministry’s delegation, led by Assistant Commissioner for Family Affairs Lucy Otto, participated in the royal dinner marking the start of Imbalu-related activities. State Minister for Labour and Industrial Relations Simon Mulongo was expected to join later for the main launch.

Yet the near-total absence of Bugisu’s elected representatives and local government leaders spoke volumes. Sources close to the organisers confirmed that only a single MP from the sub-region — which covers districts including Mbale, Sironko, Manafwa, Bududa, Namisindwa, Bulambuli and parts of neighbouring areas — made an appearance. LC5 chairpersons and other local leaders who had been expected to lend official weight to the occasion stayed away.

The boycott comes against a backdrop of escalating disputes. In recent months, a section of Bugisu MPs has been accused by the Bugisu Cultural Institution (Bukuka) of attempting to strip the Umukuka of his traditional role in presiding over Imbalu ceremonies. Clan leaders, known as Bebikuka, have petitioned President Yoweri Museveni, warning that such moves threaten cultural heritage protected under the Constitution and the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act.

LC5 chairpersons have also voiced frustration over the handling of funds allocated for Imbalu preparations, including claims that only a fraction of expected resources reached the ground. Parallel leadership challenges within the cultural institution have further complicated matters, with the government earlier declaring the 2026 Imbalu launch a “neutral cultural event” to be overseen by district leaders rather than any rival Umukuka faction, in a bid to preserve peace and unity.

Today’s official launch at Mutoto Cultural Grounds in Mbale City is expected to feature the traditional circumcision of selected candidates from the BaMutoto clan, after which the rite will spread across the 26 Bamasaba clans. Reports circulating Saturday morning indicated that Umukuka Mudoma himself would not preside over or attend the main ceremony, consistent with the government’s neutral stance.

Despite the political cold shoulder, Mudoma has maintained a defiant posture in previous public statements, insisting on fulfilling his mandate and restoring unity among the Bamasaba. Supporters argue that the low turnout at the dinner reflects political manoeuvring rather than a rejection of the culture itself, pointing to the presence of visiting cultural leaders and ministry officials as evidence of broader recognition.

Critics within the region counter that the Umukuka’s leadership style, decisions on institutional structures, and handling of preparations have alienated key stakeholders whose cooperation is essential for a successful and peaceful Imbalu season.

As thousands of Bagisu and visitors converge on Mutoto for the launch, the empty chairs at Friday’s dinner serve as a potent symbol of unresolved fractures. Whether the isolation of the cultural leader will affect the vibrancy of the season ahead — or force a reckoning among political and traditional authorities — remains one of the most closely watched questions in Bugisu today.

The 2026 Imbalu season, occurring once every two years in traditional cycles, is expected to draw participants and spectators from across Uganda and the diaspora, underscoring both the enduring power of the rite and the urgent need for reconciliation among those who claim to steward it.

Amb. Nekesa Barbara Oundo Champions Historic NRM Sweep as Party Clinches 77.8% in Bukedi Region in the Just Concluded LC1 elections

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has delivered a decisive performance in the Local Council I (LC1) chairperson elections across the Bukedi sub-region, capturing 1,936 out of 2,506 village seats — a commanding 77.3 percent share — according to provisional results released by the party.

NRM National Treasurer and Bukedi Sub-region Team Leader, Ambassador Nekesa Barbara Oundo, hailed the outcome as a clear endorsement of the ruling party’s grassroots mobilisation strategy and the confidence communities place in its leadership.

“The people of Bukedi have spoken loudly and clearly,” Ambassador Oundo said. “This sweeping victory reflects the hard work of our structures, the unity of our cadres, and the trust ordinary Ugandans have in the NRM’s track record of peace, development and service delivery. We thank the people of Bukedi for standing with us.”

The results show strong NRM majorities in all six districts of the sub-region:

Butebo: 228 out of 269 villages (85.1%)

Butaleja: 359 out of 443 villages (81.0%)

Pallisa: 401 out of 498 villages (80.5%)

Budaka: 257 out of 323 villages (79.6%)

Busia: 411 out of 568 villages (72.4%)

Kibuku: 280 out of 405 villages (69.1%)

Independents accounted for 526 seats (21.0%), while other candidates took a marginal share of the remainder.

Ambassador Oundo, who spearheaded intensive mobilisation efforts in the weeks leading up to the July 28 polls, attributed the strong showing to sustained engagement with local leaders, Members of Parliament, district officials and village-level structures. Party officials noted that hundreds of NRM flag bearers were returned unopposed in the sub-region, further underscoring organisational strength at the grassroots.

Political observers say the LC1 results reinforce the NRM’s long-standing dominance in Bukedi, a region where village leadership plays a central role in community mobilisation, local governance and the delivery of government programmes such as the Parish Development Model.

Ambassador Oundo expressed gratitude to the voters and called for continued unity as the party consolidates its structures ahead of subsequent electoral stages.

“This is not just a victory for the NRM; it is a victory for the people of Bukedi who chose continuity, stability and progress,” she said. “We remain committed to working with every village leader to transform lives and deliver on the promises of our manifesto.”

The LC1 elections form a critical foundation of Uganda’s decentralised governance system, with newly elected chairpersons expected to play key roles in community coordination and the implementation of national development initiatives.

Minister Odria, PS Amina Zawedde Tours UICT Nakawa, Pledge Push for Innovation Commercialization

Kampala, Uganda — In a high-profile orientation and familiarization visit today, Hon. Alioni Yorke Odria, State Minister for ICT in Charge of National Guidance, was hosted by the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT) at its Nakawa campus. The visit underscored the government’s renewed focus on strengthening ICT education, infrastructure, and the commercialization of homegrown innovations as pillars of Uganda’s digital transformation agenda.

Accompanied by Permanent Secretary Dr. Aminah Zawedde, Hon. Odria conducted an extensive tour of the institute’s ongoing infrastructure projects and cutting-edge learning facilities. The Minister inspected renovation works underway at the Administration Block, the Library, and the Accounts Office—projects aimed at modernizing the campus environment and improving service delivery for students and staff.

The highlight of the visit came as the Minister experienced immersive learning first-hand at UICT’s Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) Lab. There, he engaged with interactive simulations designed to enhance practical training in technology and related fields. He also toured the Electronics and Electricals Laboratory and the institute’s smart classrooms, which are equipped to support modern, technology-driven pedagogy.

The tour concluded at the National ICT Innovation Hub, UICT’s dedicated incubation centre for technology and ICT startups. The Hub serves as a critical platform for nurturing student and innovator ideas into viable products and services.

Addressing the team at the conclusion of the visit, Hon. Odria reaffirmed his commitment to championing the commercialization of innovations emerging from institutions such as UICT. He emphasized that turning research and prototypes into market-ready solutions is essential for accelerating Uganda’s digital economy and creating sustainable opportunities for young people.

“This visit has given me a clear picture of the progress and potential at UICT,” the Minister noted. “The infrastructure upgrades and specialized facilities we have seen today, especially the Innovation Hub, position the institute as a key driver of the skills and solutions our country needs. I am committed to supporting efforts that move innovations from the lab to the market.”

UICT leadership expressed appreciation for the Minister’s engagement, describing the visit as an important opportunity to align the institute’s development priorities with national ICT policy goals. Officials highlighted that continued government support for both physical infrastructure and innovation ecosystems will be vital as the institute expands its role in producing industry-ready graduates and fostering tech entrepreneurship.

The visit comes at a time when Uganda continues to prioritize digital transformation across education, public services, and the private sector. Stakeholders at UICT indicated that follow-up engagements are expected to focus on accelerating the commercialization pipeline and ensuring that renovated facilities and advanced labs deliver maximum impact for students and innovators.

Bugisu Caucus Boss Wakooli Petitions Museveni: “Back Imbalu!”

Your Excellency,

On behalf of many sons and daughters of Bugisu, I write with respect, loyalty, and hope. We remain grateful for your leadership and reaffirm our unwavering support for you and your Government. Our appeal is not born out of anger, but out of concern that our community often feels overlooked when matters of great cultural importance arise.

The Bamasaba say, “One finger cannot kill a louse.” National unity is built when every community feels seen, heard, and valued. Likewise, another African proverb reminds us that “When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion.” Uganda grows stronger when every region walks together.

Your Excellency, we respectfully wonder why important occasions in Bugisu often struggle to receive timely government attention. Whether it is official participation, facilitation, or support, assistance frequently arrives late or remains uncertain. This leaves many of our people asking whether Bugisu occupies the same place in the national family as other regions.

We understand that, like every community, Bugisu has had individuals who may have disappointed Government in one way or another. However, the mistakes of a few should never become the burden of an entire people. As another African proverb teaches, “When one branch dries, the whole tree is not dead.” The actions of a few sons and daughters should not define the loyalty, patriotism, and aspirations of the entire Bamasaba community.

Our sacred Imbalu cultural celebrations commence on the first Saturday of August 2026. This is not merely a regional event; it is a treasured national cultural heritage that promotes unity, tourism, and the identity of Uganda. As I write, many members of our community remain uncertain about the level of Government support for this important occasion.

We have also received information regarding financial support reportedly released by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. We are told that the Permanent Secretary of that Ministry channelled the little support available to an individual who is not among the organisers. We respectfully ask what informed that decision, especially after the Honourable Minister, together with leaders and elders, resolved that the Imbalu Independent Committee be in charge of everything, including the handling of financial matters.

We respectfully appeal for transparency and coordination so that any Government support reaches the officially mandated organising structures and serves its intended purpose for the benefit of the entire community.

Your Excellency, our request is simple: let Bugisu feel that it belongs. Let our cultural institutions receive timely recognition and support. Let our people know that their loyalty and contribution to Uganda are appreciated.

We remain hopeful because we know your commitment to national unity. We believe that every child of Uganda deserves a place at the national table and that no community should feel forgotten.

May God continue to bless you, bless the Bamasaba, and bless the Republic of Uganda.

Hon. Wakooli Godfrey Matembu

Member of Parliament, Butiru County, Manafwa

Chairperson, Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus

For God and My Country.

Imbalu Launch in Disarray as Organisers Accuse Umukuka Mudoma’s Office of Withholding Funds & Discouraging Sponsors

Mbale, Uganda – Tensions have escalated just a day before the highly anticipated Imbalu cultural launch, with the organizing committee accusing the office of Umukuka Jude Mike Mudoma of failing to account for funds meant to facilitate preparations for the event.

The committee, comprising all LC V chairpersons from the Bugisu sub-region and mandated to organize the annual Imbalu launch, has expressed frustration over what it describes as a lack of transparency in the management of financial resources.

According to the chairperson of the organizing committee, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development reportedly released Shs50 million to Umukuka's office to support preparations for the launch. However, the committee claims it received only Shs16 million, leaving a funding gap that has stalled several critical activities.

The committee further alleges that Umukuka's office was entrustedb with allocating exhibition spaces to members of the business community during the celebrations. It claims that despite the allocation of these spaces, no revenue generated from the exercise has been remitted to the organizing committee.

With only one day remaining before the official launch, committee members say several essential preparations remain incomplete due to inadequate funding, raising concerns over the smooth running of one of Bugisu's most significant cultural events.

The organizing committee has now appealed to well-wishers, development partners, and members of the public to offer financial and material support to ensure the success of the Imbalu launch.

Efforts to obtain a response from the office of Umukuka Jude Mike Mudoma regarding the allegations were not immediately successful by the time of publication.

New Local Leaders Urged to Hit “Reset” on Decentralization as Uganda Eyes Ten-Fold Growth

KAMPALA/REGIONAL – Freshly elected district chairpersons, city and municipal mayors across Uganda have been challenged to seize a rare “reset button” on the country’s three-decade-old decentralization policy, turning campaign victories into tangible local economic transformation and stronger grassroots governance.

Speaking at the opening of regional engagement and feedback sessions with the newly elected cohort for the 2026–2031 term, Kitatta Ibrahim Almalik, Vice President of the Uganda Local Governments Association (ULGA) for the Central Region, congratulated the leaders on their electoral success and framed their mandate as a profound vote of confidence from citizens.

“Your victory is not just a personal achievement; it is a profound vote of confidence from the citizens of Uganda, who have entrusted you to lead them into a new era of development,” Almalik said. He stressed that the gatherings—organized jointly by ULGA and the Urban Authorities Association of Uganda (UAAU) with support from VNG International and the Sustainable Development Through Local Governance (SDLG) Programme—are far from passive workshops. Participants will dissect real-world challenges through group discussions, make formal commitments, and see those pledges documented and forwarded to the Ministry of Public Service, the Ministry of Local Government, and the Office of the President for tracking and follow-up.

Almalik traced the origins of Uganda’s decentralization model, launched in 1992 and enshrined in the 1995 Constitution as a homegrown system intended to transfer political, fiscal and administrative power closer to the people. The goal, he noted, was responsive, accountable service delivery and a stronger citizen voice. Yet three decades on, the policy has faced significant headwinds: competing national policies, “recentralization” tendencies, chronic underfunding of local government structures, institutional capacity gaps, and overlapping mandates that have often left local governments sidelined.

Despite these pressures, Almalik insisted decentralization remains “the dual-carriage highroad connecting our government to our people” and the essential engine for local economic development needed to propel Uganda toward its ambitious Ten-Fold Growth Strategy over the next decade.

With a new generation of leaders now in office, he described the current transition as a critical juncture. “This is our critical opportunity to review where we have come from, understand the hurdles we face, and collectively demand a recommitment to the supremacy of local governance,” he said. He called on the leaders to approach the sessions with open minds, constructive critique and shared passion, declaring that “the campaign trail is behind us. The hard work of governance, service delivery, and economic transformation begins today.”

Almalik expressed gratitude to VNG International Uganda and the SDLG Programme for enabling the timely regional interventions, as well as to technical experts, mentors and ministry representatives guiding the discussions. He also urged the new leaders to strengthen their associations by ensuring subscription payments and active participation in ULGA and UAAU activities.

The sessions aim to equip the 2026–2031 cohort to “run, not just walk” into their mandates, re-ignite local economic activity in districts, municipalities and cities, and restore decentralization as the foundation of Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.

“For Unity and Efficiency of Local Governments,” Almalik concluded, wishing participants highly productive deliberations.

Ministers Probe Uganda’s Media Future as Digital Challenges Take Centre Stage in Key Familiarisation Meeting

Kampala — In a significant step toward aligning government oversight with the realities of modern communication, the Minister of State for National Guidance, Hon. Alioni Yorke Odria, joined forces with the Minister of State for ICT, Hon. Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, and Permanent Secretary Dr. Aminah Zawedde for a high-level familiarisation engagement with the Media Council of Uganda.

The meeting, held as part of the ministers’ ongoing familiarisation programme, offered a detailed overview of the Council’s statutory mandate and its critical role in shaping Uganda’s media environment. 

Officials from the Media Council briefed the ministerial team on core responsibilities that include media regulation, accreditation of journalists and foreign press, enforcement of professional standards, handling of public and institutional complaints, promotion of media ethics, and navigation of emerging issues in the rapidly evolving digital media landscape.

Established under the Press and Journalists Act, the Media Council serves as Uganda’s primary statutory body for media regulation. Its functions encompass promoting good ethical standards and discipline among journalists, arbitrating disputes between the public and the media as well as between the State and the media, exercising disciplinary control over journalists, editors and publishers, facilitating the flow of information, and classifying films and related content for public consumption. Accreditation remains a key pillar, requiring foreign media practitioners to obtain clearance before operating in the country.

The engagement comes at a time when traditional media coexists with and is increasingly challenged by digital platforms, social media, online news outlets and user-generated content. Discussions reportedly touched on the need to uphold professionalism and ethical reporting while adapting regulatory frameworks to address misinformation, online harms, content moderation, and the broader implications of digital transformation for national discourse and public trust.

Hon. Alioni Yorke Odria, who assumed the National Guidance portfolio following a recent cabinet reshuffle, and Hon. Joyce Ssebugwawo, the long-serving State Minister for ICT, brought complementary perspectives to the table. Dr. Aminah Zawedde, as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, provided continuity on the ministry’s broader priorities of effective communication, digital skills development and responsible information flow.

The familiarisation session underscores the ministry’s intent to strengthen collaboration with the Media Council as a “guardian of both press freedom and national discourse.” Previous interactions, including the swearing-in of new Council members, have emphasised the balance between media freedom and public responsibility — a theme that continues to define the relationship between government and the fourth estate in Uganda.

As the digital media landscape expands, the meeting signals a proactive approach by the new and continuing leadership to ensure that regulation keeps pace with technological change without stifling the free flow of information essential to democratic accountability and national development.

The engagement forms part of a wider series of introductory meetings designed to equip the ministers with a clear understanding of key institutions under or linked to the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, positioning them to provide informed policy direction in the months ahead.