The Kumam Cultural Leader, Won Ateker Raphael Otaya, has urged the Ateker communities in Uganda and neighboring countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and others to collaborate with their respective governments to achieve prosperity for all.
While addressing thousands of Ateker community members, including the Lango, Kumam, Topotha, Iteso, and Kakwa, during the second day of the Ateker Reunion Festival held at Soroti Sports Grounds on Thursday, November 28th, 2024, Papa Raphael Otaya emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation with the existing governments.
The Paramount Chief “Won Ateker” of the Kumam chiefdom urged his subjects to embrace government programs and participate in wealth creation projects. He reiterated President Museveni’s call for harmony among the diverse tribes within the Ateker community, highlighting their shared cultural beliefs and practices.
In recent years, the community has faced insecurity due to cattle rustling and tribal conflicts, particularly between the Karamojong raiders and the Iteso people.
Earlier, H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni officially opened the three-day festival on Wednesday, November 27th, 2024, which ended on Saturday, November 29th, 2024. The president called for a critical commitment to promoting peace and stability among the Ateker communities. In his message, President Museveni stressed the importance of coexistence, urging that the Ateker community should live together peacefully, without provoking one another, and work with the government to achieve lasting peace.
“Won Ateker” of Kumam addressed the need for resource sharing and called for unity and coexistence among the Ateker people. “What belongs to the Iteso also belongs to the other tribes. Let us respect each other’s property and lives to live harmoniously. With the recent discovery of oil in Ateker land, it is essential that we work closely with the government to benefit from these resources. You cannot fight your father because it brings curses,” stated Otaya.
Papa Raphael Otaya also highlighted the need for the Ateker community to embrace government initiatives, including the Parish Development Model (PDM), for socio-economic transformation.
The Kumam community, part of the Ateker cluster, includes people from Kaberamaido and Kalaki, primarily occupied by the Kumam, as well as others from the districts of Soroti and Serere in the Teso sub-region. The Kumam community officially separated from the Iteso Cultural Union (ICU), led by Emorimor, in 2023.
