“Truth Will Prevail” — Bugisu Cultural Institution Prime Minister Responds to AG Letter on Umukuuka
“In light of the above opinion rendered by the Learned Attorney General, I wish to inform all Honourable Members that the information availed to the Learned AG appears to have been limited — whether inadvertently or otherwise — thereby leading to the conclusion reached in the said opinion,” Dr. Mwambu stated.
The Prime Minister of the Bugisu Cultural Institution, Rt. Hon. Dr. Paul Mwambu, has strongly reacted to the recent legal advisory issued by Uganda’s Attorney General, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, concerning the tenure and authority of Jude Mike Mudoma, saying the opinion was based on incomplete information and expressing confidence that the government’s chief legal advisor could revise his position once presented with additional materials.
In a statement released shortly after the Attorney General’s March 18, 2026 advisory became public, Dr. Mwambu urged members of the Bamasaaba community to remain calm and patient as the institution’s legal team studies and responds comprehensively to the opinion.
“In light of the above opinion rendered by the Learned Attorney General, I wish to inform all Honourable Members that the information availed to the Learned AG appears to have been limited — whether inadvertently or otherwise — thereby leading to the conclusion reached in the said opinion,” Dr. Mwambu stated.
The Prime Minister maintained that the advisory did not fully capture all the legal and historical circumstances surrounding the leadership of Umukuuka Jude Mike Mudoma, adding that there are previous legal opinions and judicial precedents which, if considered, could potentially lead to a different interpretation.
“I remain confident that, once furnished with the requisite and relevant materials, including prior opinions from his office and applicable judicial precedents, the Learned AG may arrive at a different position,” he added.
Attorney General’s Advisory
The Attorney General’s advisory opinion was issued in response to a request from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development seeking clarification on the commencement of the Umukuuka’s tenure, the legality of actions undertaken after gazettement, and available remedies if certain actions were found unlawful.
According to the opinion, HRH Jude Mike Mudoma was elected Umukuuka on October 6, 2020, and sworn in on October 13, 2020, before later being formally gazetted by government on July 26, 2023 following resolution of a leadership dispute involving Mr. John Amram Wagabyalire.
The ministry sought guidance after a petition by Mr. Francis Wodero argued that the Umukuuka’s constitutional five-year term expired in October 2025, calculated from the date of oath-taking rather than gazettement.
In his interpretation, Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka concluded that the tenure of a cultural leader begins from the date the leader assumes office according to the customs and norms of the community, and not from the date of gazettement by government.
“The term of office of a cultural leader starts to run from the time the cultural leader assumes office in accordance with the norms and customs of a concerned community, and not from the date of gazettement,” the Attorney General advised.
He further clarified that gazettement merely authenticates and publicly announces an already existing status and does not itself create legitimacy.
The Attorney General also stated that any changes to the name, structure, symbols or tenure framework of the Bamasaaba cultural institution must strictly follow procedures laid down in the Constitution of Inzu Ya Masaaba.
Mwambu Calls for Calm
Despite the legal opinion, Dr. Mwambu projected confidence that the institution would prevail once all facts are properly considered.
“In the meantime, we call upon all members and supporters to remain peaceful, calm, and patient as our legal team comprehensively addresses the matter. We shall continue to keep you duly informed of every significant development,” he said.
Invoking the Latin maxim “Veritas vincit,” meaning “Truth conquers,” Dr. Mwambu argued that truth would eventually prevail despite what he described as misunderstanding, false accusations and premature judgment.
“Indeed, despite misunderstanding, false accusations, or premature judgment, truth ultimately prevails,” he noted.
The Prime Minister further suggested that the current challenges facing the institution could ultimately strengthen the Bamasaaba cultural leadership and its supporters.
“History equally teaches us that moments of provocation and adversity often become the foundation for greater strength and ultimate triumph,” he stated.
“Accordingly, I wish to assure you all that we remain steadfast, confident, and optimistic of victory. Rest assured.”
Dispute Continues to Stir Debate
The Attorney General’s opinion has since intensified debate within the Bamasaaba cultural institution, with supporters and critics offering differing interpretations regarding the legality of the Umukuuka’s continued stay in office and the institutional reforms undertaken after gazettement.
However, the legal advisory also emphasized that government does not impose cultural leaders on communities and that disputes concerning cultural institutions should first be resolved internally through elders and institutional mechanisms before resorting to courts of law.
The opinion reaffirmed the constitutional autonomy of traditional and cultural institutions under Article 246 of the Constitution of Uganda, while underscoring the importance of adherence to established constitutional procedures within such institutions.
Observers say the coming weeks could prove decisive as legal teams, cultural elders, and stakeholders within Inzu Ya Masaaba continue examining the implications of the Attorney General’s interpretation and the responses emerging from the institution’s leadership.
