Leaders from the Bugisu sub-region have intensified preparations for this year’s Imbalu circumcision launch by constituting committees to oversee the organisation of the cultural event scheduled for August 1 at the Mutoto Cultural Site in Mbale City. The launch, expected to attract thousands of participants, will be held at the historic Mutoto Cultural Site in Industrial City Division. President Yoweri Museveni and Kenyan President William Ruto are expected to attend as chief guests.
Speaking during a press briefing at Mutoto on Friday, Emma Bwayo, the General Secretary of the organising team, unveiled the committees that will coordinate various aspects of the event. Tony Wamakale, the LCV Chairperson of Mbale District, and Wilson Watala will head the Working Committee, while Sironko LCV Chairperson Alex Nabende Guga, Patrick Nabana and Pius Mude will serve on the Finance Committee.
The Cultural Committee will be led by Emma Watundu and Peter Pande, while Sam Mafabi and James Nabende will coordinate entertainment. The Welfare and Protocol Committee comprises Bulambuli LCV Chairperson Simon Peter Wanazofu, Ivan Namala and Fred Masaba, while the Publicity and Media Committee includes Emma Bwayo, Mike Kayendele and Abner Wepukhulu.
Security arrangements will be coordinated by Resident District Commissioners from across the Bugisu region, the Regional Police Commander, Iren Managali and Allan Muduku. The Resource Mobilisation Committee will comprise Silaji Mutenyele, Bududa LCV Chairperson Geoffrey Natubu, Lilian Mutonyi and Godwin Mubuya. Bwayo said each committee has been assigned specific responsibilities to ensure the successful organisation of the launch.
He also warned leaders of the rival cultural factions—Inzu Ya Bamasaba and Inzu Ya Masaaba—not to interfere with the preparations, saying responsibility for organising this year’s launch rests solely with the committees appointed by the LCV chairpersons. “We ask the cultural leaders to leave the organisation of the launch to the committees that have been constituted,” Bwayo said.
Manafwa LCV Chairperson Kosea Kigai Kimono accused Inzu Ya Bamasaba spokesperson Stephen Masiga of misleading the public by suggesting the cultural institution would jointly organise the event with the district leaders. Kimono said a recent meeting involving the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Gen. Henry Tumukunde, and the Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus resolved that the LCV chairpersons should take charge of organising this year’s Imbalu launch following concerns over possible unrest arising from leadership disputes within the cultural institution.
Meanwhile, Bududa LCV Chairperson Geoffrey Natubu said the organisers aim to raise UGX 1.2 billion to finance activities at the Mutoto Cultural Site and complete preparations for the launch. He said the committee will mobilise financial support from the Bamasaba community, corporate organisations and other well-wishers.
Sironko LCV Chairperson Alex Nabende Guga appealed to members of the Bamasaba community to contribute generously towards the fundraising drive, saying the success of the Imbalu launch depends on collective support. The Imbalu circumcision ceremony, celebrated every even-numbered year, is one of Uganda’s most significant cultural events and attracts visitors from across the country and neighbouring Kenya-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
