Kalaki District, Uganda — The Paramount Chief of the Kumam Chiefdom, His Royal Highness Won Ateker Papa Me Kumam Raphael Otaya, has issued a directive banning all clan heads within the Kumam Chiefdom from engaging in reckless and illegal sales of clan land.
The directive was delivered during the Annual General Meeting of the Imugenya Onginyo Clan, held at Omirimir Zone in Bululu Sub-county, Kalaki District, on Thursday.
Addressing clan leaders and members, Won Ateker Raphael Otaya emphasized that the Kumam Cultural Heritage Constitution vests ultimate custodianship of land in the leadership of the kingdom. He noted that clan land is a communal heritage that must be protected and preserved for future generations.
“Kumam land is not for reckless sale. It is a heritage meant to serve both the present and future generations, and it must be safeguarded accordingly,” the Paramount Chief said.
He further cautioned clan heads and individuals against unauthorized land transactions, stressing that any sale conducted outside the established cultural and legal frameworks would not be tolerated. In addition, Won Ateker warned men against selling family land without the knowledge and consent of their wives, describing such practices as unjust and a source of family and community conflict.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Imugenya Onginyo Clan, Mr. Moses Orio, used the meeting to highlight key challenges facing the clan, particularly low levels of educational attainment among its members. He called for collective efforts to prioritize education as a pathway to long-term social and economic development.
On land matters, Orio noted that the clan leadership has already held extensive discussions on the management of clan land, including mechanisms for addressing cases involving outsiders who have acquired clan land under questionable circumstances.
The meeting concluded with a call for unity, adherence to cultural values, and responsible stewardship of land and other communal resources, as the Kumam Chiefdom seeks to strengthen governance and protect its heritage.
