Kumam elect their first cultural leader
KABERAMAIDO– Raphael Otaya, a former tutor at Soroti Core Primary Teachers College [PTC] has become the first king of the Kumam speakers [Won Atekerin Papa Me Kumam].
He was on Thursday last week declared by the chairperson of electoral commission Kumam Cultural Heritage, Charles Ekemu Ekwamu after garnering 244 of the votes in the hotly contested election.
According to the election results, seen by theCooperator, George William Egweu of Alwa Sub-county in Kaberamaido was second with 84 votes while Robert Ewangu of Ocelakur in Kalaki district emerged the last with 51 of the total votes.
The total number of ballot papers was 650 unused ballot papers were 268 votes while invalid votes were two.
Charles Ekemu the chairperson electoral commission of Kumam Cultural Heritage said five candidates had picked the forms of interest but one aspirant Joseph Amuli did not return the form while the former LCV chairperson Soroti district George Michael Egunyu withdrew from the race on the polling day.
He explained that the Won Atekerin papa me Kumam was elected by representatives of 147 clans currently registered in various parts of the country, especially in eastern and northern Uganda.
According to Ekwamu, the newly elected cultural leader will be enthroned one month from now, after which he will constitute his cabinet.
Ekwamu revealed that the home for “Won Atekerin papa me Kumam” will be established in Kaberamaido while he will have minor palaces in other places.
“He comes from Soroti district but the cultural home shall be built in Kaberamaido,” Ekwamu said. Otaya is a resident of Merok village in Soroti district.
In his maiden speech after being declared winner, Otaya said he would focus on uniting Kumam speakers both within and in the diaspora, adding that he will ensure the preservation of Kumam language by encouraging subjects to write books in the language, further stating that he will work to create and develop Kumam cultural sites to promote tourism in his chiefdom.
“I want to thank you for entrusting me to be the first Won Atekerin papa me Kumam, I, therefore, request that let us unite regardless of our education and religious backgrounds for the development of our culture,” Otaya appealed.
Robert Ewangu and George William Egweu who lost the race conceded defeat.
They said that the elections were free and fair, pledging their commitment to work together with the elected leader.
The election of Otaya as the first Won Atekerin Papa me Kumam means that the Kumam-speaking community has now seceded from the Iteso Cultural Union [ICU], which is currently without a leader after the death of Emorimor George Osuban in February, this year.
The Kumam speakers living alongside the Iteso in the districts of Soroti, Kalaki, and Kaberamaido have in the last one decade demanded to break away from the ICU.
Historically, the Kumam came into being after intermarriages between the Iteso and Langi.
https://thecooperator.news/kumam-cultural-heritage-assembly-to-elect-leader-on-july-7-2022/
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