Agago, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Elders in Agago district are seeking 29 million Shillings for the official installation of Kasimiro Ongom, the chief of Kotongo.
Ongom has been acting as the chief of the two clans since 2014, when the then Rwot, Quinto Okidi of the Kotongo clan died. Since then, the Royal Council of Kotongo clan has been engaged in several meetings to identify the rightful successor.
Justine Okot, the chairperson of Kal p’Rwot Otongo clan said that the Royal Council of Kotongo clan and other clan members have seconded that Kasimiro Ongom be officially installed as the 14th clan chief from 11th-14th of September 2024.
Okot explained that the official installation of the chief is in support of the government’s mission of restoration of cultural institutions, legitimizing the tenure of the chief, and earning respect and recognition from his subjects.
Okot appealed to community members to provide financial support to facilitate the event, which he says would attract people from within the sub-region and even beyond the region.
He described Kasimiro as dependable, a counsellor, and a unifier.
Quinto Labeja, the chairperson organizing committee of the installation of the chief, said the event will take place from the 11th to the 13th of September.
Labeja explained that the 29 million shillings is to buy the royal drum, which was destroyed during the Lord’s Resistance Army-LRA war, other royal paraphernalia such as a royal stick and royal chair, which he said are not locally available, and for catering for guests during the chief’s installation.
Rwot Kasimiro Ongom promised to work with other clan chiefs to promote the compulsory growing of resilient crops like cassava to improve food security and unite the youth through sports, to reduce rampant cases of idleness, gambling, and drug abuse.
Since 2021, Rwot Ongom has spearheaded an operation against deforestation in Agago district.
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