The Bamasaaba cultural leader Umukuuka Jude Mike Mudoma has said the institution he now leads will not only focus on Imbalu (male circumcision) ceremonies but also make it a platform for the social, economic and cultural development of the people.

Mudoma made the remarks in his maiden address to his newly appointed cabinet including Kenyan nationals at the Malukhu cultural institution offices in Mbale city where several issues were also discussed.

“Make Inzu Ya Masaaba cultural institution a centre for strategic intervention to include areas like tourism in the face of challenges and opportunities brought about by several factors that affect the development of the people,” Mudoma said.

The Umukuuka tasked the cabinet members to help change the mindset of the Bamasaaba people so that the communities they represent in the institution are motivated to pursue goals that bring about development and prosperity.

Mudoma who regretted the leadership wrangles that have retarded development programmes of the institution over the years, said he was shocked to find witchcraft fetishes in the office adding that he has inherited an institution with many challenges including dilapidated infrastructure that houses the cultural institution offices.

The Umukuuka promised to out a protocol to harmonise the working relationship between the Bamasaaba community living in Uganda and Kenya, adding that he hopes the cabinet composed of individuals from various backgrounds will work as a team in discussing problems of the institution and finding workable solutions.

Speaking on behalf of the Kenyan team, Dr Sylvester Wakholi said they were committed to promoting and making the Bamasaaba cultural institution vibrant in Kenya and beyond adding that the Kenyan chapter will help in mobilising financial resources to purchase an official car for the Umukuuka.

Prime minister Amb. Charles Walimbwa Peke told the meeting that plans are in advanced stages for Umukuuka and a few of his cabinet members to visit the USA, Canada and later Russia, to meet Bamasaaba who live in the diaspora to impress upon them the need to contribute to the development of their communities back home in Bugisu sub-region.

Walimbwa further disclosed that a delegation of 17 people from the United Kingdom is expected to visit the Bamasaaba cultural institution in March this year to work out areas of cooperation between the people of the UK and the Bugisu sub-region.