Local Government Take Over 2026 Imbalu Launch

Local governments across the Bugisu sub-region will organise the official launch of the 2026 Imbalu circumcision season after the government intervened to prevent an ongoing leadership dispute within the Bugisu Cultural Institution from disrupting the celebrations. The decision was reached during a high-level consultative meeting convened by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development in Mbale City on Thursday, bringing together cultural, political, security and administrative leaders from across the region. 

The move temporarily transfers responsibility for organising the launch from the Bugisu Cultural Institution to district local governments as a neutral measure, following a bitter leadership dispute between two rival factions—Inzu Ya Masaba and Inzu Ya Bugisu—both of which claim to be the legitimate cultural leadership of the Bamasaba. Manafwa District LCV Chairperson Kosea Kigai Kimono said local governments had stepped in because the rival factions continued to accuse each other of operating illegally, making it difficult for either side to organise the event without controversy. 

The official launch of the 2026 Imbalu season is scheduled for August 1 at Bumutoto, the traditional home of the inaugural circumcision ceremony held every even year. The event attracts thousands of participants and spectators from across the Bugisu sub-region and beyond. Security concerns featured prominently during the meeting, with Chairperson of the Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus, Godfrey Matembo Wakoli, warning that the unresolved leadership dispute could trigger violence if left unmanaged. 

To maintain neutrality, stakeholders resolved that leaders from both rival factions would only attend the launch in their personal capacities. They further directed that no personal security personnel attached to either cultural leader would be allowed at the event, with security to be handled exclusively by state security agencies. Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde Kakurugu endorsed the resolutions, saying the government would respect the decisions reached by local leaders while continuing to support efforts to resolve the cultural leadership dispute through the courts. 

He urged the judiciary to expedite the pending court process, noting that a legal determination would provide a lasting solution to the institutional deadlock. The main case is scheduled for hearing on July 20. The consultative meeting followed a July 6 directive by the minister to the Mbale Resident City Commissioner to urgently convene cultural, political, security and administrative leaders ahead of the launch. In his letter, Tumukunde acknowledged the ongoing disagreements over the leadership of the Bugisu Cultural Institution but stressed that they should not be allowed to overshadow one of the Bamasaba’s most important cultural events.

“The Ministry is aware of the ongoing differences relating to the leadership of the Bugisu Cultural Institution. While these matters are being addressed through the appropriate legal and administrative processes, they should not be allowed to disrupt, overshadow or politicise the peaceful celebration of Imbalu,” the minister wrote. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to preserving Imbalu as a cherished cultural heritage of the Bamasaba, describing it as an event of significant cultural, social and tourism value that must be conducted peacefully, safely and with dignity.

The meeting also resolved to encourage peace, unity and responsible leadership among all stakeholders while agreeing on practical measures to ensure the ceremonies proceed without interference, intimidation, provocation or bias. Participants included representatives of the rival Bugisu cultural factions, clan leaders from the Wanale, Mbuya and Mwambu clusters, district chairpersons from Mbale, Sironko, Bulambuli, Bududa, Manafwa, Namisindwa and Mbale City, members of the Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus, Resident District Commissioners, Chief Administrative Officers, District Internal Security Officers, District Police Commanders and the Regional Police Commander for Elgon.

The government hopes the temporary arrangement will guarantee a peaceful launch of the 2026 Imbalu season while allowing the courts to determine the long-running leadership dispute without disrupting one of eastern Uganda’s most celebrated cultural traditions.