Government Dismisses Mayatsa Election, Calls It Sham, Illegal and Can’t Recognize him as IV Umukuka:

 Mudoma  Is Still in-charge Says Government as President Museveni Is set to meet him with two other cultural leaders from Bunyoro and Kamuswaga of Kooki Early November 2025.

Abraham Lincolns

The Minister for gender, labour and social development Betty Amongi Akena says that Government for now dismisses the authenticity of the purported election of the new Umukukha IV, Mayatsa Joram of the Inzu Ya Bamasaba before the expiry of the current cultural leader’s tenure Dr. Jude Mike Mudoma which is still running 2028.

Speaking to the Second Opinion Publications Ltd Hon. Betty Amongi said that what was done by the actors behind the purported elections of Mayasta Joram as Umukuka 1V was sham, illegal and the Government can not recognise him at the moment until the right time of the current cultural leader of Bugisu expires.

“We know one cultural leader from Bugisu HRH Mike Jude Mudoma  whom the Government gazetted and we can not de-gazette him until his term expires as stipulated by the constitution” Minister Betty said.

She said that Mudoma was elected and some sections of people contested his election and wasted time in battles until the government recognised him in 2023 that is when he was gazetted and started earning so his time is still on the rest are day dreamers. She pointed out.

The minister’s position came after another leadership crisis broke out in Bugisu where  Mr. Mayatsa Joram from Wanale clan was confirmed and unveiled on 25th September, 2025 at Mutoto cultural centre by a group of sacked ministers from Mudoma’s government who include  Goodwin Mubuya, Ahamed Washakie (RCC Masaka), Charles Walimbwa Peke, Nelson Wedaila among others.

The Minister Betty Amongi confirmed that the election wasn’t legit because the current Umukukha Dr. Jude Mike Modoma’s tenure is still running  thus there is no need to hold elections now.

The Institutional status of the Umukuuka of Bugisu has been further clarified through the corrigendum gazetted by Gender, Labour and Social Development Minister Hon Betty Amongi Ongom in Vol CXVIII No. 29 of 8th April, 2025.

That correction is not just about a change of Name of Inzu ya Masaaba as alleged by some people but a correction to reflect the status of the Umukuuka of Bugisu as an Institution of the Traditional or Cultural Leader in the area of Bugisu.

“The institutional status of the Umukuuka of Bugisu was clarified and gazetted by the ministry and the current name of the cultural leader for Inzu Ya Masaaba is none other than Dr. Jude Mike Mudoma whose tenure elapses in 2028”, Among said.

Since his enthronement, Mudoma has faced several challenges including others seeking court authorities have him thrown out on accusations of illegal assumption of office by his rival Amuram Wagabyalire, who was elected before Mudoma’s gazettement and Mayatsa, a new claimant elected from the Wanale Inda.

According to Stephen Masiga the spokesperson Bugisu cultural institution said that the opposing factions are trying to divide the Bamasaba people though Wagabyalire’s faction who claims to have been elected as the third Umukukha to succeed the late Bob Mushikori. Wagabyalire had sued Mudoma for allegedly occupying the office of Inzu Ya Bamasaba without authority  .

Accordingly  they assert that Mudoma illegally occupied the office of Inzu yamasaba located at Malukhu at Industrial city division in Mbale is a cultural leader of Bugisu not Bamasaba.

The dispute centres on the legitimacy of each claimant’s election or gazettement. Mudoma’s faction argues that he was properly gazetted, while Wagabyalire’s faction claims that Mudoma’s occupation of the office is illegal.

However, Allan Muduku from Wagabyalire’s faction wondered how a new election  can be held with matters in court, Prossy Katushabe, the Mbale high court Registrar on 19th September, 2025 made a ruling by writing to the Minister of Justice, Norbert Mao asking him to facilitate mediation between Mudoma and Wagabyalire faction .

“There is no way another Umukukha can be elected yet matters are still at court although we agree with them on the matter of Mudoma’s term expiry”, Muduku said.

Amongi says that the government cannot impose a cultural leader on the Bamasaba but can only foresee the rightful process to have one leader installed. She said whoever claims to have been elected as the umukuka ceases to be until fresh elections are held asking cultural institutions with similar disputes to resolve them because the government will not gazette any leader from cultural institutions with conflicts.

“Government can only foresee the rightful process to have one leader installed and whoever claims to have been elected as the Umukuka ceases to be until fresh elections in Bugisu are held in 2028”, Amongi added.

The Umukuka is elected on a rotational basis from nine clans and Jude Mike Mudoma from the Inda Ya Mwambu clan is third cultural leader until his term elapses for another clan before they  present  and elect another leader.

However, the Umukuuka of Bugisu, His Royal Highness (HRH) Sir Jude Mike Mudoma, dismissed claims that a new Umukuuka had been elected to replace him as the cultural leader of Inzu Ya Masaaba (IYM) describing the reports as “fake news” stressing that he remains the rightful Umukuuka III.

“These people, we don’t know where they came from. They are claiming to have elected another Umukuuka IV, yet I am still on the throne. I have so far served two years and still have three more before handing over,” he said.

The cultural leader clarified that his authority as Umukuuka of Bugisu is not affected by the activities of IYM, whose legal status remains that of an association, whether incorporated or unincorporated.

He emphasized that while he has no objection to IYM electing its leaders to manage it’s affairs as an association, the group should not attempt to present itself as the institution of the Umukuuka, which is a Corporation Sole established under the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act (Cap 242).

Mudoma further noted that the High Court in Mbale stopped his first election in 2020 they held fresh elections and now he has so far served 2 years and still has more three that is when he will leave for Umukuuka IV.

“As long as I am normal and sane with a sound mind, I will rule until the last time my office re-dictates.Those fears are manufactured and scarecrows but I want to assure the Bamasaba that I operate within the legal framework, am a law abiding citizen and am assuring you that I am in charge”, The King roared