I won’t leave power - Bamasaba leader

“They are giving me more time to stay on as Umukukha. Good enough, President Museveni also thinks I should not go,” Mr Mushikori said in an interview at the weekend.

Mr Mushikori’s backers have reportedly advised him not to hand over power to Mr Mike Jude Mudoma, claiming he was allegedly elected in what they termed as ‘kangaroo style’.

“They are imposing on us the Bamasaba a new Umukukha, who was elected in the bush despite a court order restraining the same,” one of the ministers, who preferred anonymity, said.

Mr Mudoma, a scientist, who is from the Buyobo clan, was reportedly elected by the general assembly, which was held at Mutoto Cultural Ground on October 6.
The speaker of the institution, Mr Nelson Wadaila, said Mr Mudoma had been duly elected as the new Umukukha to succeed Mr Mushikori.
 “The outgoing Umukukha’s term ended but he had tried to fail all the attempts to elect his successor,” Mr Wadaila said.

It is alleged that the general assembly constituted 33 clan heads out of 49. This was refuted by some leaders, who say there was no quorum.

Sources say elections took place in the house belonging to one of the delegates near Mutoto Cultural Ground for fear of police disrupting the exercise.

The elections for the previous cultural heads were held at the institution’s headquarters at Malukhu but organisers say they changed the venue due to security reasons.

 Mr Geoffrey Wepondi, Mr Mushikori’s right hand man, who also doubles as secretary general of the institution, dismissed allegations that the new Umukukha had been elected.

“The rumour that they elected the new Umukukha should be treated as the most dishonest act shown by these individuals,” Mr Wepondi said.

Mr Wepondi said the election of the new Umukukha was suspended by the August 24 restraint order issued by the Resident Judge of the High court at Mbale, Justice Jesse Byaruhanga.

“The High Court issued a restraint order holding status quo and suspending any Umukukha III election activities until the matter is concluded,” he said.

Mr Wepondi, among others, were elected during the Mabanga-Bungoma general assembly in Kenya on April 1, 2019 in an alleged attempt by Mr Mushikori to shield his seat. 

The others included Ms Rose Nelima, the speaker of the general assembly and Mr Omar Njofu, the chairperson of the culture council. They replaced Mr James Kangala, former secretary general, Mr Wadaila, who was the speaker and chairperson of culture council, Mr Christopher Bunoti.

The State Minister of Gender and Culture, Ms Peace Mutuuzo, in her May 27 letter said the decisions taken by the general assembly in Kenya were null and void.

Mr Wepondi blames the current confusion in the institution on the minister’s letter.  “She is behind the cause of confusion in the institution. Her authority to deploy administrators and officers is not backed by any law,” he said.

Mr Kangala said they have already forwarded the name of the newly elected Umukukha to the Ministry of Gender to be gazetted.  “We want government to cooperate with the cultural council to withdraw all privileges including the bodyguards, vehicle, and salary from Mr Mushikori,” he said.

The chairperson of the institution’s governing board, Mr Stephen Mungoma, said he was not aware of the election of the new Umukukha.

However, Mr Mathius Nabutele, the first deputy prime minister, said the institution’s organs led by Mr Wepondi will conduct the election for the new Umukuuka.

“They carried out a coup and we are running after whoever was involved. It was a clandestine move to overthrow the Umukuuka,” he said, adding that transparent elections will be conducted.

Mr Nabutele said transparent elections dictate that all aspirants attend the general assembly but in this case only  one candidate attended yet the race had attracted four candidates.

The other candidates were Mr Gregory Gidagui Mafabi from Sulani clan, Mr Patrick Womakuya from Lagos clan and Amran Wagabyalire from Halasi clan.

Mr Gidaguyi, one of the candidates, said there was no election because if there was, as a candidate, we would have attended by all means.

“We need fair and transparent elections. Short of that, it remains a sham and I believe no election took place,” he said.

Mr Edward Mashate, the founding director of Green House Tourism Agency,  said the failure by a group led by Mr Wepondi to recognize designated officers of the institution is the main cause of the problem.

“The cause of the current impasse is failure by some group to fail to recognize the designated officers, who are constitutionally mandated to organise the elections,” he said.

Mr Akim Watenyeri, another opinion leader, said greed for power has killed the institution. “We are now likely to have parallel cultural leaders,” he said. 

Mr James Manana, resident of Nabugoye village in Namanyonyi Sub-county said although they are not happy with how the elections of new Umukuuka were conducted, they will have no option to support him.

“We have been left with only two options, to either to support the elected leader or call for dissolution of the institution. I think the former is a better option,” Mr Manana, said.

Earlier, Mr Francis Wanyina, one of the opinion leaders, told Daily Monitor that the only solution now is to dissolve the institution and find a way forward.

“It is unfortunate that there are a few elements that have captured and personalised the institution. They have held Bamasaaba at ransom even when they know they no longer have legal force,” Mr Wanyina said.

In 2013, another cultural leader, Mr Wash Joseph Kanyanya, going by the title Umukhungu Bukusu, was installed in Bududa District. Mr Kanyanya’s installation has remained a thorn in the unity of the Bamasaba.

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