Umukuuka Launches Second-Term School Tour Across Bugisu, Champions Education and Cultural Values

His Royal Highness Sir Jude Mike Mudoma III, the Umukuuka wa Bugisu, has commenced his second-term educational outreach tour across schools in the Bugisu sub-region, beginning with a visit to Nkonkonjeru Primary School in Mbale City.

The initiative, dubbed “Umukuuka’s Message to Schools,” is aimed at promoting education, cultural identity, child protection, and social transformation among learners throughout the region.

According to the spokesperson of the Bugisu Cultural Institution, Hon. Steven Masiga, the tour will see the Umukuuka and officials from the cultural institution visit several schools across Bugisu to engage directly with learners, teachers, and school administrators.

Masiga explained that the cultural institution considers education a critical pillar for the development of the Bagisu community and the nation at large.

“We are moving to several schools in the Bugisu region under the theme ‘Umukuka’s Message to Schools.’ Our package includes encouraging learners to fully exhaust the education curriculum from primary school through secondary and up to university level,” Masiga said.

He noted that the institution is also using the tour to assess the welfare of learners and provide them with a platform to express their concerns and aspirations.

“Our learners are our subjects as a cultural institution, and we must give them a listening ear. We want to understand their challenges and encourage them to remain focused on their studies,” he added.

Promoting Quality Education

Masiga emphasized that the Bugisu Cultural Institution is committed to eliminating barriers that hinder effective learning among children in the region. He commended the management of Nkonkonjeru Primary School for establishing what he described as an outstanding educational facility that serves not only Bugisu but also learners from different parts of the country.

“We appreciate the management of Nkonkonjeru Primary School for having such an excellent educational facility in Mbale City. The school serves the entire country and offers flexible fee payment arrangements, which have enabled many families to access quality education,” Masiga noted.

He said the Umukuuka and the entire Bugisu community are satisfied with the services being offered by the school and applauded its leadership, administrators, teachers, and learners for their dedication to academic excellence.

“The Umukuuka, his cabinet, and clan chairpersons across Bugisu are pleased with the leadership and administration of the school, as well as the discipline and commitment demonstrated by the learners,” he said.

Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence

Beyond academic matters, the school tour is also being used as a platform to address pressing social issues affecting children and young people.

Masiga revealed that his office has received support from Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda and UN Women to facilitate community and school engagements throughout the region.

He said the support has enabled him to travel across Bugisu delivering messages on gender equality, the fightNkonkonjeru Primary School against gender-based violence, prevention of defilement, and the promotion of girls’ education.

“Cross-Cultural Foundation Uganda and UN Women have supported my office with fuel to enable me to crisscross the Bugisu region and talk to learners about gender violence, the dangers of defilement, and the importance of educating the girl child,” he explained.

He noted that these messages form a central component of the broader “Umukuuka’s Message to Schools” campaign, which seeks to nurture responsible, informed, and empowered young people.

Preserving Language and Culture

The cultural institution is also using the tour to advocate for the teaching and preservation of Lumasaba, the indigenous language of the Bagisu people.

Masiga stressed that schools have a vital role to play in safeguarding cultural heritage and ensuring that younger generations remain connected to their identity.

“Schools must teach Lumasaba as a local language. Language is an important component of our culture, and preserving it is essential for maintaining our heritage and identity as the Bagisu people,” he said.

Strengthening Community Development Through Education

The Umukuka’s school tour is expected to cover numerous educational institutions across Bugisu in the coming weeks. Cultural leaders say the initiative is designed to strengthen collaboration between schools, parents, cultural institutions, and development partners in promoting education and social well-being.

Observers have welcomed the program, noting that it reflects the growing role of cultural institutions in complementing government efforts to improve education outcomes, protect children, promote cultural values, and address social challenges affecting communities.

As the tour gains momentum, the Bugisu Cultural Institution hopes to inspire learners to pursue academic excellence, embrace positive values, and become future leaders capable of transforming their communities and the country at large.