Mbale High Court Orders Arrest of Bugisu Cultural Impostors for Disrespecting Court Restraining Order

MBALE, Uganda — Court documents seen by The Ankole Times indicate that several individuals could face arrest if they violate a restraining order issued by the High Court in Mbale. The order was issued by Her Worship Rania Naluyima on behalf of the Mbale High Court.

This was confirmed by the spokesperson of the Bugisu Cultural Institution, Steven Masiga, who told The Ankole Times that the cultural institution will invoke Ugandan laws to restore order in Bugisu and address individuals he described as masqueraders who are opening shrines in the forests of Mutoto and falsely operating within the cultural space.

Masiga said the cultural institution could not simply fold its hands while what he described as hoodlums and wrong elements pollute the cultural space.

“We petitioned the court to restrain the conduct of these subversive groups, which are allegedly receiving funding from politicians in the Bugisu region to destabilize the leadership of Umukuka Jude Mike Mudoma,” Masiga said.

According to Masiga, the administrative order restrains the respondents, including a group led by Mayatsa and Mayatsa himself, as well as other individuals such as Wakane Davis, Eddy Komoli, and Lilian Nabutuwa, among others.

The order bars the groups from conducting any activities under the name of Inzu Ya Masaaba until Civil Suit No. 040 of 2025 is fully disposed of by the court.

Masiga explained that the restraining order means that anyone who disrespects it could be held in contempt of court as provided for under Article 28(12) of the Constitution, in addition to facing possible imprisonment for disobeying court orders.

However, Masiga noted that the Bugisu Cultural Institution remains committed to peace.

“As a cultural institution, we are peace makers, and some of the affected persons have already approached us. We shall see how to handle the matter,” he said.

The civil suit was instituted by His Highness the Umukuka, Jude Mike Mudoma, in his official capacity against 10 individuals who are named in the plaint.