The way forward for Bugisu throne
Oct 31, 2010
HISTORICALLY, the Bagisu, fondly referred to as Bamasaba, did not have a monarchy. The Bamasaba cultural heritage is centred on chieftaincy.
By Rev. Titus Makuma
HISTORICALLY, the Bagisu, fondly referred to as Bamasaba, did not have a monarchy. The Bamasaba cultural heritage is centred on chieftaincy.
The issue of monarchism as related by one of the claimants for Bugisu throne is a new development among the Bamasaba.
Not so long ago, Joseph Kanyanya from Bududa relayed unjustifiable claims to the Bugisu cultural throne. As reported in 2008, Kanyanya claimed that President Yoweri Museveni had recognised Bikuuka bya Bamasaba (clans of Bamasaba) kingdom. This was, however, refuted as letters purportedly written by the President’s principal private secretary were said to be forged. This kind of unpopular politicking never yielded any positive results for him.
On the other hand, Wilson Wamimbi was elected as the Umukhuuka (clans leader) of the Bamasaba by 26 clan leaders in August under an umbrella cultural institution of Inzu ya Masaaba. This cultural institution, mandated by district councils in Bugisu sub-region, brings together Bamasaba in Uganda and western Kenya and those living in the diaspora. In July, the groups approved a constitution that will govern the institution where Umukhuuka will serve for a non-renewable term of five years. This is a plausible position which is accommodative and focused on cultural restoration.
However, 76-year-old Shaban Wambedde Wataba of Nabugoya village in Namanyonyi sub-county, Mbale district, says he is the rightful cultural leader (Umugasha) of the Bamasaba. He says he belongs to the royal family of the Bamasaba, where leadership is not elective, but inherited.
I advise the Bamasaba to sensibly consider the position agreed upon by most of the 26 clan leaders. This will give opportunity to each of the clans to occupy the Bugisu cultural throne for five years. However, these issues must be well-documented and records kept in a safe place for future reference, lest the Bugisu cultural throne be plunged into political and social disorder as the case is with Busoga kingdom, where different clans have refused to follow the rightful constitutional leadership structures. The Bamasaba need to learn a lesson from the crisis in Busoga.
The writer is the western regional overseer for the Pentecostal Assemblies of God
HISTORICALLY, the Bagisu, fondly referred to as Bamasaba, did not have a monarchy. The Bamasaba cultural heritage is centred on chieftaincy.
The issue of monarchism as related by one of the claimants for Bugisu throne is a new development among the Bamasaba.
Not so long ago, Joseph Kanyanya from Bududa relayed unjustifiable claims to the Bugisu cultural throne. As reported in 2008, Kanyanya claimed that President Yoweri Museveni had recognised Bikuuka bya Bamasaba (clans of Bamasaba) kingdom. This was, however, refuted as letters purportedly written by the President’s principal private secretary were said to be forged. This kind of unpopular politicking never yielded any positive results for him.
On the other hand, Wilson Wamimbi was elected as the Umukhuuka (clans leader) of the Bamasaba by 26 clan leaders in August under an umbrella cultural institution of Inzu ya Masaaba. This cultural institution, mandated by district councils in Bugisu sub-region, brings together Bamasaba in Uganda and western Kenya and those living in the diaspora. In July, the groups approved a constitution that will govern the institution where Umukhuuka will serve for a non-renewable term of five years. This is a plausible position which is accommodative and focused on cultural restoration.
However, 76-year-old Shaban Wambedde Wataba of Nabugoya village in Namanyonyi sub-county, Mbale district, says he is the rightful cultural leader (Umugasha) of the Bamasaba. He says he belongs to the royal family of the Bamasaba, where leadership is not elective, but inherited.
I advise the Bamasaba to sensibly consider the position agreed upon by most of the 26 clan leaders. This will give opportunity to each of the clans to occupy the Bugisu cultural throne for five years. However, these issues must be well-documented and records kept in a safe place for future reference, lest the Bugisu cultural throne be plunged into political and social disorder as the case is with Busoga kingdom, where different clans have refused to follow the rightful constitutional leadership structures. The Bamasaba need to learn a lesson from the crisis in Busoga.
The writer is the western regional overseer for the Pentecostal Assemblies of God