Ever since this month started, hundreds of thousands have been flaking Mutoto Cultural ground to enjoy life.
It is so embarrassing that with every step you make, you land on human faeces “pupu” – our reporter, Arnold Musamali.
It should be noted that every even year, Bamasaba/Bagisu conducts a huge Cultural celebration Known as “Imbalu”.
This event is where young boys are circumcized traditionally to be initiated into manhood.
What You Need to Know:
Corporate companies, the private sector, small-scale businesses, and other opportunists have stormed Mutoto to harvest money from revelers.
While on a tour of the facility located in Mbale City, our reporter, Arnold Musamali spotted huge concerns about poor hygiene at the facility.
He noted that the grounds had no toilet/latrines which could lead to an outbreak of diseases, he also noted that the facility has no water supply.
According to Musamali, hundreds of revelers go easy themselves in the nearby bushes or behind the erected tents.
It should be noted that on the 3rd of August 2024, president M7 is expected to grace the official opening of Imbalu.
What is “IMBALU”
Imbalu is a public circumcision ceremony practiced by the Bamasaba people of Uganda.[1] It takes place at the Mutoto cultural site (also called Mutoto cultural ground) near Mbale in eastern Uganda. It is mostly active in the 8th month of every even year.
The ground is believed to be the place where the first Mugishu (Mumasaba) was circumcised. This community affair is characterized by dance and food.
The ceremony has beenheavily promoted as a tourist attraction, and tens of thousands of people attend.
Imbalu marks the initiation of boys into manhood and every year, hundreds of boys aged 16 and above qualify for the Imbalu.
In 2022, about 6,000 boys were initiated into manhood during the cultural ceremony that happens every year.
This is because the ceremony had not happened ever since 2020 when Uganda was locked down due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.
The age old tradition defines and unites the people in Bugisu sub-region including the Bamasaba people of Mbale, Manafwa, Bulambuli, Sironko and Bududa districts.
This is because they are believed to be descendants of Masaba.
Credit: Freeman News