Imbalu Festivities preparations are underway as the event is scheduled for Saturday 11th August 2018 at Mutoto.
Imbalu literally in native lugisu means traditional circumcision ceremony mainly done by the Bamasaba (Bagisu) society that turns boys into real manhood.
This year’s guest of honor will be President Yoweri Museveni and Uhuru Kenyatta President of Kenya who will officially unveil the ceremony.
Mr Nabutele Mathias, Cordinator for the ceremony confirmed attendance of the two heads of the East African states and said it will be the first time Kenyatta leads the Kenyan based Bamasaba of Bungoma, Trans-Nzoia and Bukusu to Mutoto where the first mugisu got circumcised.
Imbalu tradition defines and unites people in the Gishu region which comprise of Manafwa, Bulambuli, Mbale, Sironko and Bududa areas.
Imbalu circumcision is held during even years where the period of initiation is determined by the person himself usually called ‘’Umusinde’’ which means candidate in English and not necessarily a council of elders or a convention usually between the age of 16 and 26. Those willing to be circumcised in a given year announce their intention in May or June and spend next few months preparing for it. The key element of this ritual comprises of initiation, decorated plantain fronds or animal skin, ash plastered face and escorted by friends who motivate and create hype while marching and dancing via the streets to connect to close relatives and seek their approval.
The ceremony is organised by Inzu Ya Masaba, the official cultural Institution of Bamasaba.
In 2016, the Bamasaba Cultural Institution in partnership with Uganda Tourism Board unveiled a plan to upgrade Mutoto Cultural Site to boost tourism.
The board also announced that the circumcision fete had been elevated to a carnival and added to Uganda’s tourism products.
