By KT Reporter
The King of Kumam, Raphael Otaya, has called on Ugandans to uphold peace, unity, and respect for leadership before, during, and after the forthcoming elections. Speaking to members of the Kumam, Alur, Lugbara, Madi, Lango, Acholi, and Iteso communities living in Kampala, who gathered at Kyebando Kisalosalo on Sunday evening, King Otaya warned that instability could plunge the country back into a painful past.
He urged his subjects to be guided by moral and spiritual values, emphasizing humility, respect, and obedience to lawful authority as key pillars of national stability. “Our communities are cultural and political leaders. All Ugandans have a duty to submit to lawful authority and live as law-abiding citizens,” the King said. Reflecting on Uganda’s turbulent history, King Otaya cautioned that violence and disorder could undo the progress the country has achieved over the years.
He warned that failure to maintain peace risks returning Uganda to a dark past that many would not wish to experience again. The King particularly appealed to young and energetic men and women not to misuse their strength to cause chaos, noting that violence threatens both the nation and those who engage in it.
“Uganda needs you alive. Peace is the foundation for development and for achieving the goals each of us seeks,” he said. King Otaya also praised the growing unity among Ugandans from different regions, including the north, central, and western parts of the country, noting that communities are now living together peacefully as one nation.He warned against politicians who promote division along tribal lines, urging citizens to reject such rhetoric. “Any politician who wants to separate Ugandans or speak along tribal lines should be ignored. We do not want a repeat of what we experienced in the past,” he said.
The Kumam King further urged his subjects to embrace saving, respect cultural values, and protect national development gains. He rallied the youth to adopt a culture of hard work, saving, and long-term planning, stressing that while government provides infrastructure and an enabling environment, individuals must take responsibility for creating personal wealth.
He cautioned against living without a fallback position, urging those earning an income to prioritize saving and future planning. Catherine Akumu Mavengina, the unopposed Member of Parliament for Older Persons representing Northern Uganda in the coming elections, praised the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government for restoring peace, fostering unity, and driving socio-economic development across the country.Akumu said the peace currently enjoyed in Uganda is the foundation upon which development and national unity have been built. “Since the NRM government came into power in 1986, many positive changes have taken place under the leadership of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni,” she said.
She emphasized that peace is a prerequisite for development, dismissing earlier skepticism from some citizens. “Without peace, there is nothing you can do. But with peace, there is always food, work, and opportunity,” Akumu noted. She credited the NRM government for promoting unity and implementing development programs aimed at improving livelihoods and reducing poverty.
These include the Parish Development Model, Youth Livelihood Programme, Operation Wealth Creation, vocational training initiatives, support for boda boda groups through SACCOs, and targeted programs for vulnerable urban communities. “These programs are meant to economically empower citizens. Anyone who is willing to work can benefit,” she said.
However, Wilfred Obedgiul challenged claims that livelihood programs have effectively reached vulnerable people from Northern Uganda living in Kampala. He argued that many have failed to benefit due to limited access and inadequate sensitization. Obedgiul said that once leaders are elected, they rarely return to guide or inform communities about government programs, leaving many young men and women from the North living in extreme poverty in the city.
“Most people, especially women, are hardworking and understand business, but many are vending mangoes in Kampala because they cannot access these programs to expand their enterprises,” he said. He also raised concerns about difficulties in transporting the bodies of deceased community members to their ancestral homes for burial. As a result, families are forced to rely on fundraising through condolence books, claiming government leaders have offered little support.
Obedgiul called on the NRM government to inject funds into the various savings SACCOs established by the communities to boost their incomes if the party secures a seventh term in office. The meeting was also attended by leaders from the NRM Secretariat and retired General Emilio Mondo from the Madi community.
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