STAY IN YOUR LANE! Bobi Wine Should Apologise to Bamasaaba Over Imbalu Ceremony – Bugisu Cultural Institution

The Bugisu Cultural Institution has demanded an apology from National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, for presiding over an Imbalu circumcision ceremony during his visit to Mbale on Friday, January 2, 2026.

Speaking to RedPepper, the institution’s spokesperson, Steven Masiga, said Bobi Wine’s participation in the ceremony amounted to an unacceptable intrusion into cultural affairs, which were not part of his approved political itinerary as per Electoral Commission (EC) guidelines.

“Kyagulanyi Robert, being a lawyer and politician, is well grounded in the law and should clearly distinguish between political roles and cultural roles,” Masiga said. “As a cultural institution, we do not believe that launching Imbalu was one of the activities that brought him to Mbale. It was not part of his official itinerary.”

Bobi Wine, who was in Mbale City for political rallies in Northern City Division, presided over an Imbalu ceremony in Nakaloke, where one or more candidates were circumcised.

While Masiga acknowledged the cosmopolitan nature of Nakaloke, which hosts people from different sub-tribes—including Bagwere and Banyole—he emphasized that the event took place on Bugisu land, and therefore required cultural restraint.

“On account of the fact that this was Bugisu land, Bobi Wine should have restrained himself from acting as a chief guest at what was clearly a cultural function,” Masiga noted.

He further called on the Electoral Commission to ensure that future political engagements involve all key stakeholders, including cultural institutions, so that candidates’ itineraries are clearly known and respected.

“It is wrong for politicians to hijack roles meant for cultural leaders. The Umukuka of Bugisu is legally restrained from engaging in politics, and we request politicians to equally respect our lane,” Masiga said.

The Bugisu Cultural Institution also revealed that it is considering appropriate cultural sanctions against Bobi Wine for the alleged breach.

“These may range from the payment of animals to appease the Bamasaaba spirits,” Masiga disclosed.

He reiterated that the official Imbalu season in Bugisu takes place in August and September during every even year, and that the recognised venue for the official launch is Mutoto Cultural Grounds.

“The official Imbalu ceremony is presided over by His Highness the Umukuka III, Jude Mike Mudoma, and attracts cultural leaders from across Africa. Circumcision is a purely cultural ritual and should never be mixed with politics,” Masiga concluded.

He warned that such conduct by politicians is unacceptable and should never be repeated anywhere in the country, urging political actors to strictly confine themselves to the programmes that bring them to any given region.