MBALE, Uganda — The Umukuka of the Bamasaba Cultural Institution, His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma, has constituted a delegation to represent the Bamasaba community at the burial ceremony of the late Omukama of Tooro, His Majesty King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
According to the spokesperson of the Bamasaba Cultural Institution (Inzu Ya Masaba), the delegation will be led by the Prime Minister of the Bamasaba Cultural Institution, Rt. Hon. Dr. Paul Mwambu.
Other members of the delegation include the Minister of Culture, Hon. Moses Kutoi; the Minister for Public Engagements, Hon. Irene Khainza Manghali; and the spokesperson of the Bamasaba Cultural Institution, who said he had also been guided by the Umukuka to be part of the entourage.
The spokesperson said the delegation will represent the entire Bamasaba community at the burial ceremony.
He explained that Bugisu and Tooro share strong cultural, customary and traditional ties that date back centuries.
According to Masiga, the two cultural institutions have maintained close relations through marriage, leadership and cultural ties. He also noted that the Tooro King was a member of the Association of Cultural and Traditional Leaders in Uganda, further strengthening the relationship between the two communities.
He added that both the Bamasaba and Tooro people are part of the wider Bantu community.
Masiga cited several prominent Bamasaba who have married into Tooro, including Hon. Stephen Wekomba of Elgon Millers, among others, as evidence of the longstanding relationship between the two communities.
He further explained that, according to Bamasaba cultural protocols, the Umukuka cannot personally participate in the burial of another leader of the same status, as doing so would traditionally be interpreted as signalling the end of his own kingdom.
The delegation is expected to travel to Tooro soon to represent the Bamasaba Cultural Institution and the wider Bamasaba community at the burial ceremony.
Masiga made the remarks in a telephone interview with The Ankole Times from Mbale City.
