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Bagisu

The Bagisu (people of Bugisu; adj., Gisu) constitute roughly 5 percent of the population. They occupy the well-watered western slopes of Mount Elgon, where they grow millet, bananas, and corn for subsistence, and coffee and cotton as cash crops. Bugisu has the highest population density in the nation, rising to 250 per square kilometer.

As a result, almost all land in Bugisu is cultivated, and land pressure causes population migration and social conflicts. A large number of Bagisu were drawn into the cash economy in 1912, with the organization of smallholder production of arabica coffee and the extension of Uganda's administrative network into Bugisu. After that, the Bagisu were able to exploit their fertile environment by producing large amounts of coffee and threatening to withhold their produce from the market when confronted with unreasonable government demands.

One of the mechanisms for organizing coffee production was the Bugisu Cooperative Union (BCU), which became one of the most powerful and most active agricultural cooperatives in Uganda. Bugisu's economic strength was based in part on the fact that coffee grown on Mount Elgon was of the highest quality in Uganda, and total output in this small region constituted more than 10 percent of the coffee produced nationwide.

Land pressure during the early decades of colonial rule caused the Bagisu to move northward, impinging on the territory of the Sebei people, who have fought against Gisu dominance for over a century. The Bagwere and Bakedi people to the south have also claimed distinct cultural identities and have sought political autonomy.

In 1963, the government asked various tribes to elect a tribal leader who would then be eligible to stand against Kabaka Mutesa as first president of the Republic of Uganda (Mutesa could not compete with commoners), the Umuyinga was imposed on the Bagisu, but this was not universally accepted. This explains why the Bagisu never revived this institution when other tribes were rushing to restore their kingdoms.

Mutoto, the Bugisu cultural site, is regarded as the traditional ground where the first Mugisu [Mumasaba] male was circumcised. At Mutoto, elders lead the imbalu candidates in songs, rhythmic dancing before they face the knife. The ritual brings a festive atmosphere in the Elgon region: Music blares, the dance is engrossing, food is in plenty and beer flows.

Although the desire to be circumcised is believed to be spiritually inspired, many faint hearted Bagisu have fled the region and taken refugee in other districts. So powerful is the tradition here that when the luck of such men runs out, they are circumcised forcibly.

Among the Bagisu, circumcised boys bring pride to the family. This is not to say there are cowards who flee: These, however, are sought after during the season. Forceful circumcision is seen as an advancement of cultural dictates.

For the uncircumcised men from other tribes in the area, the story is different. They must watch from a distance, or in the worst case scenario, flee in case they are mistakenly identified as uncircumcised natives.

In 2012 many non-Bagisu men in Mbale town fled the town after Gishu men combed their hideouts in a bid to circumcise them in broad daylight. The native Gishu men resorted to the dreadful move after accusing the non-Bagisu for sleeping with their women and infecting them with Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).