Bugisu snubs Bamasaaba chief claimant
Oct 22, 2008
District chairmen in the Bugisu sub-region have disassociated themselves from a man claiming to be the cultural leader (Umukuuka) of the Bamasaaba.
By Joseph Wanzusi
District chairmen in the Bugisu sub-region have disassociated themselves from a man claiming to be the cultural leader (Umukuuka) of the Bamasaaba.
Mbale’s Bernard Mujasi, Charles Walimbwa Peke of Manafwa, Wilson Watira of Bududa and Sironko’s David Wambi Kibale said they were not party to the ambitions of Wash Joseph Kanyanya who claims he was coronated at the Mutoto cultural grounds near Mbale town in 2005.
Wambi Kibale said Kanyanya should be arrested because his actions ‘were criminal’.
Wambi said Kanyanya attempted to disrupt the circumcision opening ceremony at the Mutoto grounds this year but later disappeared before the Police could get him.
Manafwa’s Walimbwa said it was the cultural board charged with the Bamasaaba cultural affairs while the council deliberate on how to elect a leader acceptable to all the clans.
Mujasi said a cultural group (Inzu Ya Masaaba), led by Canon Codvia Wakiro, had been mandated to sensitise the Bamasaaba on electing the 26 clan leaders and a cultural leader.
“The Bamasaaba themselves will elect their cultural leader who will enjoy the privileges of state support as provided for in the Constitution,†he said.
The leaders’ reaction is in response to a letter to the president by Kanyanya, stating that he had appointed a new cultural cabinet of the Bamasaaba.
When contacted on Saturday, Kanyanya, who said he was speaking on phone from Kampala, insisted he was the cultural leader, following his 2005 installation at the Mutoto grounds.
“I am planning on constructing the headquarters of the cultural institution at Mutoto since I have the support from the elders of Bumutoto clan council,†Kanyanya confidently said.
District chairmen in the Bugisu sub-region have disassociated themselves from a man claiming to be the cultural leader (Umukuuka) of the Bamasaaba.
Mbale’s Bernard Mujasi, Charles Walimbwa Peke of Manafwa, Wilson Watira of Bududa and Sironko’s David Wambi Kibale said they were not party to the ambitions of Wash Joseph Kanyanya who claims he was coronated at the Mutoto cultural grounds near Mbale town in 2005.
Wambi Kibale said Kanyanya should be arrested because his actions ‘were criminal’.
Wambi said Kanyanya attempted to disrupt the circumcision opening ceremony at the Mutoto grounds this year but later disappeared before the Police could get him.
Manafwa’s Walimbwa said it was the cultural board charged with the Bamasaaba cultural affairs while the council deliberate on how to elect a leader acceptable to all the clans.
Mujasi said a cultural group (Inzu Ya Masaaba), led by Canon Codvia Wakiro, had been mandated to sensitise the Bamasaaba on electing the 26 clan leaders and a cultural leader.
“The Bamasaaba themselves will elect their cultural leader who will enjoy the privileges of state support as provided for in the Constitution,†he said.
The leaders’ reaction is in response to a letter to the president by Kanyanya, stating that he had appointed a new cultural cabinet of the Bamasaaba.
When contacted on Saturday, Kanyanya, who said he was speaking on phone from Kampala, insisted he was the cultural leader, following his 2005 installation at the Mutoto grounds.
“I am planning on constructing the headquarters of the cultural institution at Mutoto since I have the support from the elders of Bumutoto clan council,†Kanyanya confidently said.