Bugisu elder Wagabyalire survives arrest in Nakasongola over impersonation

By Nathan Ngobi

Photo: Wagabyalire arriving at Nakasongola function.

John Imran Wagabyalire, one of the elders from Bugisu sub region escaped an arrest by a whisker over the weekend in Nakasongola for impersonating as Umukuka 111.

Wagabyalire lost the Umukuka slot to his longtime nemesis His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma after Government officially announced, gazetted and corronated him (Mudoma) at a public function in Mbale city attended by interstate East African Governments before a mammoth crowd of Bamasaba.

However, over the weekend His Royal Highness Isabaruuli Isabarongo Mwatyansozi Constantine Mwogezi Butamanya, the Buruuli cultural leader and chairman Uganda kings and cultural leadership forum held a coronation anniversary in Nakasongola where elder Wagabyalire attended purportedly as the cultural leader of Inzu Ya Bamasaba.

A top security officer in Kampala told The Second Opinion Publications that when they learnt about the matter of impersonation, a group of  none uniformed cops were dispatched and raided the area to grab Wagabyalire like a chicken thief but unfortunately or fortunately, he had escaped from the gathering at the time the cops swung in action incognito.

“The old man has disturbed Bamasaba cultural institution for a long time impersonating until Government and the Gisu cultural clan leaders ejected him out of office. Now, if he starts moving to other cultural institutions claiming that he is the Umukuka this would cause issues in Bugisu,  we are to arrest him and face charges of impersonation,” the security officer who never wanted to disclose his identity  intimated to us.

Wagabyalire’s minister arrive for Isabaruuli function

Wagabyalire was in company of Wodero Francis, the former Inzu secretary general and Jackson Wasukira the former minister for security, who according to allegations was poised in the same capacities before the Baruuli.

Jackson Wasukira, is the brother to Peter Mashate commonly known as Mashate London who according to sections of Bamasaba  could be supporting the factions of Wagabyalire to disorganize Inzu cultural leadership.

Ritah Namuwenge, one of the strong pillars of creating unity in Inzu Yabamasaba says that the visitation of Wagabyalire faction to a cultural leadership function irked a lot the people of Masabaland who are now focused on  fighting for unity and cultural development.

“We are not happy when we see such things taking place by elderly men from our region impersonating, then what example are we marketing to the outside world and the young generation,” Ritah wondered.

When The Second Opinion contacted Wagabyalire over the matter, he confirmed  that he attended the function and therefore, we can write “what we want.”

“It is true I attended the Nakasongola function but I will not disclose under what capacity, that is for myself but go ahead and write what you want, write, write please write am not moved” Wagabyalire sounded on phone.

However, on his part when we talked to Isabaruuli cultural leader Constantine Mwogezi Mwatyansozi,  he confessed  but blamed his invitation committee for messing him up by inviting Wagabyalire at the cultural function.

In His words this is what he said

“My brother Ngobi, I was messed up by the committee responsible for invitations, they messed with me a lot, I was so, so shocked to see Wagabyalire during the introduction time.

They announced a delegation from Bugisu , then I saw Wagabyalire  with his people as  ministers at the time when I could not chase them.

However, I am a cultural leader and chairman of kings and cultural leadership forum who welcomes everyone including Pagans, Christians, Muslems, culturalists, Pentecostals and seventh days on top of FDC , NRM, NUP and other political parties without segregation.

I want to create unity everywhere, including among the Bamasaba so the whole mess was by the committee on invitation which had a Mugisu  person as a member.

I met Wagabyalire in Soroti, I have also met many times the young man son to Ikumbania of  Bugwere chiefdom and I think we need unity, I therefore apologize for the mess if it injured the Bamasaba.