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The move, welcomed by cultural institutions like the Bamasaaba, seeks to eliminate longstanding confusion and affirm the rightful leaders recognized under the Constitution. The updated gazette outlines the roles and regions of leaders such as the Kabaka of Buganda, the Omukuka of Bugisu, and others—reinforcing their legitimacy and safeguarding Uganda’s cultural heritage.

The Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development has issued a corrigendum through a statutory instrument to correct the titles of royal highnesses and clarify the regions under their leadership across Uganda.

In response, Mr. Steven Masiga, spokesperson for the Bamasaaba cultural institution, expressed appreciation for the clarifications made by Hon. Betty Amongi, stating that the move resolves long-standing confusion over the leadership and territorial jurisdiction of cultural institutions.

“For instance, in Bugisu, some individuals had ignored national laws governing cultural institutions and attempted to establish their own,” Masiga explained. “This led to significant misrepresentation of our identity and leadership structure. With these corrections, it is now clearly established that we are Bagisu, and our cultural leader, His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma, has jurisdiction over Bududa, Manafwa, Sironko, Namisindwa, Mbale City, Bulambuli, and Mbale District.”

The Third Schedule of the Ugandan Constitution lists the different tribes that constitute the nation. In line with this provision, an individual can only be officially recognized as a cultural leader if they are born into the specific community and both of their parents are also members of that tribe by birth.

The Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development has issued a corrigendum through a statutory instrument to amend the titles of royal highnesses and provide clarity on the regions under their leadership across Uganda.

Mr. Steven Masiga, spokesperson for the Bamasaaba cultural institution, welcomed the move by Hon. Betty Amongi, stating that the correction addresses years of uncertainty surrounding the leadership and territorial boundaries of cultural institutions.

“In Bugisu, for instance, some individuals had ignored national laws on cultural institutions and attempted to establish their own,” Masiga said. “There was considerable misrepresentation of our identity and the scope of our authority. This correction now affirms our identity as Bagisu and officially recognizes our cultural leader, His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma, as the custodian of Bududa, Manafwa, Sironko, Namisindwa, Mbale City, Bulambuli, and Mbale District.”

According to the Third Schedule of the Ugandan Constitution, the country comprises several recognized tribes. Under this provision, a person can only be gazetted as a cultural leader if they are born into that specific community and both of their parents are also members of the same tribe by birth.

The recently published corrigendum in the Uganda Gazette addresses previous inaccuracies that created confusion about the areas governed by traditional and cultural leaders. It clearly defines the districts and regions represented by each gazetted cultural leader, affirming their roles as custodians of cultural heritage and practices within their communities.

Back in 2014, the Ministry of Gender revoked the recognition of several cultural leaders for using unofficial and inappropriate titles such as “Right Honourable,” “Commander,” or “His Excellency,” which conflicted with the constitutionally recognized titles like “His Royal Highness” or “His Majesty.”

Mr. Masiga stressed that, with the corrected records now in place, the Bamasaaba people have an essential responsibility to promote cultural literacy. “It is now our mandate to educate the community and raise awareness about these long-overdue clarifications,” he said.

The updated gazette now officially recognizes the titles and territorial jurisdictions of various cultural leaders across Uganda, reaffirming their legitimacy and authority.

• The Kabaka of Buganda
• The Kyabazinga of Busoga
• The Omukama of Toro
• The Umukuka of Bugisu
• The King of Samia
• The King of Buruli
• The Kamuswaga of Kooki
• The Rwot of Acholi
• The Cultural Leader of Kumam
• The Omusinga of Rwenzururu (Bakonzo)
• The Emorimor of Teso

These developments mark a significant step in preserving Uganda’s cultural identity while aligning traditional leadership structures with the national legal framework.