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BY Nathan Ngobic
The coronation of John Amram Wagabyalire as the third leader of the Inzu ya Masaba, known by the title Umukuka slated for 18th February 2023 is illegal according to the ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
Wagabyalire told this media house that his coronation mobilization drive and invitations for high profile people are in high gear for the Feb 18th event at Mutoto Gisu cultural ground.
“I have occupied office for the last two years working and visiting all villages in Bugisu as Umukuka 111 and now my coronation is set for the 18th Feb 2023 where I will be officially declared as the rightful Umukuka of Bamasaba,” Wagabyalire told The Second Opinion.
He said that issues of gazettement will come later by the concerned ministry after the coronation.
However, the minister for Gender , Labour and social Development, Betty Amongi Ongom says that Wagabyalire’s ongoing coronation program is illegal and a waste of people’s resources and because he has not been recognized by the ministry and Government.
“We do not have any Umukuka in Bugisu as of now and whoever organizes a cultural coronation is illegal , we have not resolved the impasse between Wagabyalire and Jude Mike Mudoma to declare who is the rightful person for coronation and gazzetement,” Said Betty Amongi.
The minister said that they asked both parties to go back on the ground and get certifications by the 26 legitimate clans that vote the cultural leader “Umukuka” in Bugisu with the support and endorsement of the all LCV chairpersons of Bugisu who would vet these elders but each time the parties submit different persons as elders of the 26 clans.
She added that her ministry requested for legal guidance from both the solicitor general and attorney General and the outcome was that both Wagabyalire and Mudoma were not legitimately elected as Umukuka for Bamasaba.
She pointed that in the case of Wagabyalire Amram John his election was conducted in December 2020 when the term of office of the organs of the Inzu Ya Masaba has elapsed on 15th October 20202 hence invalidating his election while as Jude Mike Mudoma stands invalid because his election occurred when there was a court order in place stopping any election from taking place and no effect was made to vacate the court order prior to the election.
Therefore there is no current cultural leader of Inzu Ya Masaba until the Government declares one and gazette him before those arrangements of carnations take place.
On the issue of His highness Isabaruli Isabarongo Mwatyansozi’s visit to Masabaland between 03th to 7th November 2022 , the minister denied knowledge about his visit but said that as a ministry they encourage anyone who think can create peace and reconciliation to go and bring the two factions together and any resolution would be considered if the two sides agree.
Both Mudoma and Wagabyalire went to court seeking court redress to declare them as legitimately elected cultural leaders of Inzu.
Wagabyalire went to court hiding in his confidant Nabutele Gordon but his pleas were thrown in the dust bin by Her worship Lady Justice Margret Apiny with cost asking Wagabyalire’s man to pay which costs are still haunting him.
While on the other hand the same judge asserted that there was remedy in Jude Mudoma’s court case and advised him to go and invoke the article 16 of the institution of Traditional and cultural leaders act 6 of 2011 for the resolution and management of the conflict within the Bamasaba clan heads .
Based on Mudoma’s court ruling the minister of Gender, labour and social development tasked the conflicting leaders to go back the 26 clan heads with the help of the LCV chairpersons to endorse who is the rightful Umukuka of Bamasaba for coronation and gazettement.
Conflicting over who is the rightful cultural leader of Inzu ya Masaba started immediately when Bob Mushikoli died on 4th Jan 2021.
Bugisu todate has not replaced the third cultural leader.
