New Kumam cultural leader pledges unity

The newly elected cultural leader of the Kumam speaking people in Teso Sub-region has promised to foster unity among subjects.
“It is time to show that we are one, with a purpose that builds us,” Mr Rafael Otaya said after being declared winner of the elections last Thursday.

The tribe under their Kumam cultural heritage umbrella held elections after three attempts to break away from Iteso Cultural Union.
 Mr Otaya, who ganered 244 voters,  said fostering unity amid diversity is what he seeks to inculcate among the Kumam speakers.

He said his leadership will respect all people regardless of their cultural beliefs and political inclination.
Mr George Williams Egweu of Alwa Sub-county in Kaberamaido District came second with 84 votes followed by Mr Robert Ewangu of Ocelakuru Sub-county in Kalaki District with 51 votes.  
Mr Otaya was born in  1957 in Merok, Katine Sub-county, Soroti District. He  has a diploma in education from Institute of Teacher Education Kyambogo. 

The cultural head, who will take the title of Won- Ateker,  will lead subjects in Kaberamaido, Kalaki, Dokolo, and Soroti districts. The institution’s electoral commission chairperson, Mr Charles Ekemu Ekwamu,  said chief administrative officers in the districts will collect resolutions and submit them to the Ministry of Gender with the name of the elected leader for gazetting.
“After gazetting, the elected leader has one month to prepare for enthronement upon which he will establish his cabinet and parliament,”  Mr Ekemu said. 
He said the home of their leader will be in Kaberamaido.