By Steven Enatu
TESO
Kumam cultural leaders have bounced with a fourth attempt at electing their cultural leader in early July, 2022.
The Kumam Cultural heritage, a brain spearheading the election of the first cultural leader for the Kumam speaking community has bounced back in high gear for a fourth time after failed attempts in recent years to have the election take place.
The elections first failed on 5th June 2021, 16th July 2021 and 25th Feb 2022 respectively over legal challenges not addressed by the committee spearheading the process. On the 5th June 2021, the elections were halted when it emerged that the steering committee didn’t inform the line minister as per the constitutional requirement.
Whereas the committee followed almost all the requirements for the election of the cultural leader or paramount chief, there was a communication gap in mobilizing the sub county councils and writing to the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development on the matter.
Election of the Kumam cultural leader was then postponed to July 16, 2021 but due to the second wave of covid-19 restrictions, it could not take place.
The 3rd attempt failed on the 25th Feb 2022 when the election was abruptly called off over failure to follow the law.
Counsel Alfred Ewatu, head of the legal team announced that the elections couldn’t proceed without certification from Uganda Registration Service Bureau.
“It was an oversight in the steering committee to comply with Section 4 of the Cultural Leaders Act, 2011.” The law requires the institution to inform the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development in writing about the election of the cultural leader beforehand and also requires registration before any election is conducted.” Said Ewatu
The relentless elders however have not given up in the quest to have their cultural leader elected.
George William Omuge, the chairperson of Kumam cultural heritage general assembly told this website that a tentative roadmap has been drawn to be able to guarantee free and fair election of Kumam cultural leader.
Omuge says interested aspirants will show interest between 08th -17th June 2022, swearing of members of EC will be on 7th June 2022, vetting of interested aspirants by the electoral commission is on 20th -22nd June 2022, Vetting of applicants by the elders council on 22nd -30th June 2022, and later display of the voters register and elections on 7th July 2022.
In a meeting for the general assembly leaders and Kumam clan heads on Thursday 25th May 2022 at Kaberamaido hotel, George William Omuge unveiled the final copy of Kumam Cultural constitution.
The constitution is believed to be the final copy that the committee has worked on and will govern Kumam Cultural heritage.
The constitution has been amended to allow only members of the General assembly to vote for the Kumam cultural leader.
The sitting also changed the title of Kumam Chief from ‘‘Won Atekerin Papa Kumam’’ to ‘‘Won Ateker Papa me Kumam’’.
According to the Kumam cultural heritage constitution, Won Atekerin Papa me Kumam is supposed to be a Kumam of 60 years and above with an ‘O’ level qualification minimum
He should also be a leader at the ‘Won Ebuku’ (county) level.
James Olobo Dubai, the Member of Parliament for Kyoga North Constituency and a clan leader of “Imugenya” requested Kumams to unite ahead of elections of Kumam chief.
The Kumam have been involved in the processes of establishment of their cultural head since 2011.
The election of Won Atekerin- Papa Kumam will see the Kumam community independent from Iteso Cultural Union (ICU) under Emorimor, which initially covered Kumams.
Kumams are predominantly found in the districts of Kaberamaido, Kalaki, Amolatar, Dokolo, and Soroti.
