By Emmanuel Eumu.
His Highness Raphael Otaya becomes the first paramount chief of the Kumam speaking people in the diaspora and earns recognition from government like any other existent kings and cultural chiefs country wide.
PHOTO: Raphael Otaya the first cultural chief of Kumam cultural heritage sited on his throne.
Kaberamaido – In another letter, also dated 1st August,2023,singed by permanent secretary, Ministry of Gender labor ,and social development Mr. Aggrey David Kibenge, addressed to the executive Director of Uganda printing and publishing corporation, Mr.Otaya’s name was submitted for gazetting.
The government has gazetted Mr.Raphael Otaya ,as the first kumam cultural institution after one year of his election in july 7 2022.
The minister of Gender labour and social development made the gazette on August 4 in line with section 6 of the cultural Leaders act 2011.This comes after enthronement of won Ateker papa kumam which took place early these year on May 31 2023 as one of the instrument which required for a gazette to take place as an earlier directive by the state minister for gender and cultural Affairs, Ms. peace Mutuuzo to the commissioner in the same ministry
Earlier, a declaration notice seen by this website dated August 1, 2023 signed by the minister of Gender, labor and social Development Ms Betty Amongi Ongom stated:
“I hereby cause the cultural leader listed below to be published and gazetted in Uganda Gazette”. The notice which names Raphael Otaya as the cultural leader of kumam cultural Heritage in another letter, also dated 1st August, 2023, signed by permanent secretary Ministry of Gender labor and social development, Mr.Aggrey David Kibenge addressed to the Executive Director of Uganda printing and publishing corporation Mr.Otaya’s name was submitted for gazzetting.
“The purpose of this letter is there for submit Mr.Raphael Otaya for publication in the national gazette as the won Ateker papa kumam as the first king for kumam speaking tribe kumam cultural institution; the letter read in part.
PHOTO: Kumam speaking people celebrating the coronation of His Highnes Raphael Otaya as first chief.
Mr Frank mugabi,the communication officer of the ministry of Gender labour, and social development said .
” The documents are authentic and gazettement follows a process that was under taken by clan leaders as the communication came through to the ministry on the resolution from the districts where Kumam’s hailed from namely soroti, Kaberamaido,Kalaki ,Dokolo and Amolatra districts. Such resolutions got from lower local government and the district council all were submitted to the ministry waiting for gazette as required.
The institution came into existence in 2022 as election was carried out between four people who showed their interest for leadership of won Ateker papa kumam including Raphael Otaya, George Williams Egweu, Robert Ewangu,and Geroge Micheal Egunyu the former Mayor and L.C 5 Soroti district.
Raphael Otaya emerged the winner with 275 votes beating his three other friends Robert Ewangu and Geroge Williams Egweu and George Micheal Egunyu who never turn up for the elections held on the 7 July, 2022 at Kaberamaido Town council Ground, the voting was done by clan heads wegi Ibukui, youth, women leaders atel Mon PWDS and elders.
