Mbale City, Uganda – The spokesperson of the Bamasaba Cultural Institution, Hon. Steven Masiga, has challenged business owners in the Bugisu region to stop selfishness and support needy members of the community.
Masiga made the remarks during a one-day symposium organised by the Bugisu NGO Forum, a non-governmental organisation operating in the Bugisu region.
He told participants that Bamasaba have often been reluctant to support the work of their cultural institution and other community-related activities.
Masiga cited the resettlement of people from Bududa to Bunambutye as an example, saying that when the government resettled the affected communities, the Chinese Industrial Park donated items worth Shs100 million to support the families.
According to Masiga, the contribution was channelled through the Inzu Ya Masaba and the items were delivered to Bulambuli, but local community members did not make any significant contribution towards the initiative.
Masiga was speaking at a workshop jointly organised by the Bugisu NGO Forum and its partners, including Legacy.
He also compared the way people in Tooro support their cultural institution with the situation in Bugisu.
Masiga said that when he recently led a delegation of Bamasaba Cultural Institution leaders to Tooro for the send-off of the King of Tooro, he was impressed by the level of love and support shown towards the institution and the King.
He contrasted this with the situation following the death of Umukuka Wamimbi, saying that many Bamasaba did not contribute towards the burial of their cultural leader until the government intervened.
“To me, that is setting a very bad example. I must challenge our people to renounce selfishness,” Masiga said.
He appealed to civil society organisations and the business community to work together to support vulnerable people in society.
Masiga further urged civil society organisations to document philanthropic contributions made by businesses and individuals so that such efforts can be recognised and encouraged.
“Many times, there are a few good people around who support the needy, but the information is kept away from civil society actors such as the Bugisu NGO Forum and others like Legacy. Let us ensure that our contributions are on record,” he said.
Masiga said the cultural institution would recognise and reward individuals and businesses that support community development.
He also encouraged businesses to embrace corporate social responsibility and consistently give back to the community.
Other speakers at the workshop included Catherine, who represented the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Mbale, and Iddi Mafabi, a programme officer at the Bugisu NGO Forum.
