The Umukuuka III, His Royal Highness Jude Mike Mudoma of the Bamasaba people hailing from the Eastern region of Uganda, has commended the security organs for the support in the region.
He made these remarks during the Umukuuka III Royal anniversary dinner 2024, held at the Mt. Elgon Hotel on Thursday, August 1, 2024, under the theme, “Honoring Heritage, Embracing Prosperity, and Inspiring Economic Transformation.”
While referring to the speech of the Deputy Director General of the Internal Security Organization (ISO), Col Emmy Katabazi, about embracing government programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM) to ensure socio-economic transformation in Uganda, the Umukuuka III pledged to work towards supporting the government to ensure fostering the programs.
“I like the words of our Deputy Director General of ISO; let us now work on that strategic plan to put his statements into reality. In one year of my reign, I have enjoyed a close relationship with the central government and more especially the security organs in Mbale. You have your RDCs, RISOs here, RPCs, Crime Intelligence Officers, and the army; they have been so cooperative. I can assure you, that is how I have scored so highly because of the collaboration with the government agencies and entities, and I promise government officials that we shall continue fostering that relationship to ensure that government programs are implemented to the dot,” Umukuuka III said.
In his speech, Umukuuka III also thanked the President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for his support towards the kingdom, where he contributed UGX 300 million towards the royal anniversary dinner and the traditional event known as the Imbalu festival (circumcision festival) that will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2024.
He reechoed Col Katabazi’s assurance that the imbalu function taking place on Saturday will go on smoothly.
Additionally, the Umukuuka III called upon his subjects to unite as a preliquisite to development.
“We must unite; there is no where we shall think of development if we are not united,” he noted.
HRH Mudoma further said that he was honored to lead a delegation of cultural leaders who will meet President Museveni on Monday, August 5, 2024.
The State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Dr. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, emphasized the boosting of industrialization in Uganda, thereby encouraging Buy Uganda, Build Uganda (BUBU) in order to ensure economic development in the country.
Other dignitaries that attended the dinner include cultural leaders from West Africa, the King of the Iteso, and representatives from other Ugandan cultural institutions, among others.
Several partners like Nile Breweries Ltd., GRO, Equity Bank, Crown Beverages, and Post Bank came on board to support the events in the kingdom.
The Masaba people, or Bamasaaba, are a Bantu people inhabiting the eastern Ugandan districts of Sironko, Manafwa, Bududa, Mbale, Namisindwa, and Bulambuli and are about 12 million in number, headed by their king known as Umukuuka III. They are closely related to the Bukusu and Luhya of Western Kenya.