Umukuuka Jude Mike Mudoma Welcomes Government Corrigendum Clarifying Status of Cultural Institutions in Uganda

The Umukuuka wa Bugisu, Jude Mike Mudoma III, has hailed the Government of Uganda for issuing a long-awaited corrigendum to formally correct the names and legal statuses of all Institutions of Traditional or Cultural Leaders across the country. The move, he said, brings long-overdue clarity and marks the end of years of legal confusion, misrepresentation, and institutional wrangles that have plagued some cultural groups, including the Bamasaaba.

The corrigendum was issued through The Uganda Gazette Extraordinary dated April 8, 2025, by Hon. Betty Amongi, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development. It seeks to rectify errors that have persisted over time in how cultural institutions are named and recognized, particularly regarding their geographical jurisdiction and legal status.

Alfred Geresom Musamali, Umukuuka wa Bugisu's Information, Media and Communications Minister, says the corrections were necessary to align the recognition of traditional and cultural leaders with the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act, 2011. The corrigendum also officially declares the areas in Uganda where each traditional or cultural institution is recognized to operate.

Speaking on the development, Umukuuka Mudoma emphasized that the Bugisu region – the ancestral home of the Bamasaaba – has long suffered from mischaracterization, especially with the continued reference to Inzu ya Masaaba (IYM), which is an association, as the official cultural institution. "That was a mistake that ceases forthwith," he declared, affirming that the legitimate cultural institution of the Bamasaaba is the Umukuuka wa Bugisu, which is an Institutional Corporation Sole Trust under the laws of Uganda.

“The issuance of this corrigendum is not just an administrative correction; it is a reaffirmation of our identity, dignity, and heritage as the Bamasaaba people. The Umukuuka is the rightful cultural leader of Bugisu, not an association,” Mudoma stated.

For years, disputes over leadership and institutional legitimacy have dogged the Bamasaaba community, at times spilling into courtrooms and causing divisions among clans. The Umukuuka’s statement signals a turning point and a call for unity as the Bugisu Cultural Institution moves forward under one clear and legitimate leadership.

The Government’s recognition of cultural leaders plays a vital role in preserving Uganda’s diverse cultural heritage, promoting unity among ethnic groups, and supporting grassroots governance and social cohesion. Minister Amongi urged all stakeholders to respect the corrected declarations and work towards strengthening their respective institutions in accordance with the law.

As the Bamasaaba community welcomes this development, the move is also expected to ease tensions, streamline cultural administration, and restore trust in the leadership of the Umukuuka.