By Dr Sarah Khanakwa
Together we can make Masaba-land Great again!!We cry our motherland – Masaba – filled with hatred and intrigue among its children. Where did we go wrong?
How did we loose it? Put differently In other words – “ka khalikho lufumbi tta”…..why are we urinating in our own well – Masaba-land?I grew up seeing this strong globally cherished tribe, people, and region – the Bagisu in Bugisu – children of kundu and Sera.
The region that is known for its fertile soils, producing one the largest cash in the world – Arabica Coffee. Strongly positioned, Bugisu region did not only export coffee but highly educated and eminent intellectuals/professionals for top most assignments not only in Uganda but world over – some names freshly sound in my brain – James Wapakhabu (Speaker Parliament 1996-1998), Prof. Dan Nabudere, Prof. Masete Kuuya, Prof. Patrick Wangusa, Justice John Tsekooko, Justice George Masika (Chief Justice), and more and more… but wait…who remembers the apple of Bagisu eye – Situma “na mupila” – the greatest Ugandan footballer made-in-Bugisu?
How about the unique Bugisu culture – Imbalu…. the culture that is specially designed by bagisu.
Then the cherished traditional cuisines made-in-Bugisu: Kamaleeya, Bumekele, kumukhelekha/kumukisu, kamakhunyu, kamalele, indelema….and the list goes on. We are not done yet, the beautiful cultural heritage sites that define the God given natural resources/riches in Masaba-land: Biritanyi Gorge (Bulambuli), Sisiyi Falls (Bulambuli), Zebubu Cave – with the “hanging spiders” (Bulambuli), Nakoko Cave (Bulambuli), Kagyere Falls (Bulambuli), Kamashengelo (Bulambuli), Lwandubi Inemba site (Namisindwa), Nalufutu Cultural site (Bududa), Namishio Bull Fighting (Bududa), Nashula Cultural site (Bududa), Namisndwa Cave, (Namisindwa), Semei Kakungulu Heritage site (Mbale City), Bukusu Prayer Mountain (Manafwa), Mutoto Cultural site (Mbale), Nusu Hill (Bududa), Wanale Ridge (Mbale), Circumcision (Imbalu) knives…..and many more! – credit, (Francis Bwayo, Elgon Culture and History Museum).
And as I write these, I’m also reminded of the art of making Bows and pottery by the gifted bamasaba. However, waking up today, Bamasaba are filled with hatred, intrigue and conflict amongst themselves, instead of promoting cordial relation, concentrating on expanding peace and development. We are immersed in trivial talks, conflict and propaganda that has seen us drop down and loose trust of the high office, process by process.Recently a “friend” lamented – quote; “yes we know Khanakwa is born in Namisindwa – but married in Manafwa, why should she then think of contesting for a leadership mandate in Namisindwa? She should contest in Manafwa and not Namisindwa…because we want to preserve our Namisindwa culture”.
In analyzing this opinion, what came to my mind was – how did we get here in the first place? When did we start thinking that this one tribe from one father and mother – Kundu and Sera, is not one anymore?
How significantly different is the culture of Manafwa from Namisindwa! Here is the thing, how about we Bamasaba spend the better part of our time, resources and expertise to:
Come together from Namisindwa, Manafwa, Bududa, Mbale, Sironko and Bulambuli to study and discuss the possibilities of expanding Kamaleeya growing from the Wanale forest reserves to large scale/commercial farming on upland, open land for export. It’s not a secret, Kamaleeya delicacy is consumed by all tribes within and outside Uganda! This presents an opportunity for wealth creation for Bamasaba. Reminder, poverty is biting hard in Bugisu!Studying Value addition for Bumekele, kumukhelekha/kumukisu, kamakhunyu, kamalele, and indelema -into large commercial ventures for Bamasaba Tourism is one of the world’s largest industries, generating an estimated 11% of global GDP, employing over 200 million people and transporting nearing 700 million international travelers per year.
How are we positioning Bamasaba cultural heritage treasures to tap into this space/wealth?Develop talent of young people in several sports as part of career development.My sisters and brothers – children of Kundu and Sera, we have huge kamakatala ahead of us to accomplish.
Come 2026, let’s work as a team and select a team of like-minded representatives, able to work together to make Masaba-land Great again!! This is not a DREAM, it is a simple REALITY!.
