The Sebei cultural leadership battle has been taken to the state house.
In the letter dated 1st November 2024, addressed to H.E President Museveni, Rtd Maj. Leonard Chemonges and Kukoo Mukung Tafala expressed their disagreement and rejection of claim by peter swilkey kissa of sabiny supreme clans leadership as the elected kingoo or cultural leader of sebei sub region.
The two leaders of the Sapiiny (SEBEI) Cultural Institution led by Mutai Lawrence of Kapchai clan and Sebei – Kalenjin Cultural Heritage headed by Major Chemonges Leonard son of the late YM Chemonges,late Kingoo of Sebei of Kapchoken clan, expressed their disagreement and rejection towards Peter Swilkey Kissa of Sabiny Supreme Clans Leadership and confirmation by his speaker Mr. Samuel Ngiryo and Lamin Kassim during KTR Radio Kapchorwa talk shows on 02nd/11/2024 that he is a duly approved and gazetted Sebei Cultural/traditional leader by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development provided Peter Swilkey as king of Sebei funds for culture day held on the 30th/Oct/2024 at Kapchorwa boma grounds.
However Major Leonard Chemonges and Kukoo Mukung Tafala accused a section of kapchorwa district councilors for conniving with Peter Swilkey.
“Peter Swilkey with the support from a few Kapchorwa District local government officials was a guest of honour on Culture day celebration on the 30″/Oct/2024 in Kapchorwa Chairpersons compound. Peter Swilkey and his supporters have been masquerading in the Sebei Sub region as the duly elected Cultural leader, attending official meetings and cultural ceremonies,” read part of the letter.
The two parties also wondered how Peter Swilkey was gazetted yet the ministry of Gender, Labour and Social development had tasked them to harmonize the matter.
We draw your attention to a letter from Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development Dated 16th November 2021 issuing out guidelines on instituting and restoration of cultural institution in Uganda according to the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda article 246 which is operationalized by the institution of traditional or cultural leader’s Act. 2011. The letter by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (Re: Recognition Of The Sapiiny/sabiny Cultural Institution-Sapiiny Cultural Clans Leadership (Ref. No: GCC 224/225/06), Dated 16th November 2021 under paragraph one and two stated there are two Cultural Institutions from Sebei seeking recognition. Sapiiny Cultural Instituion And Sabiny Supreme Clans Leadership,” read another part of the letter.
According to the group, by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development noted that the Districts and sub county Councils had submitted two Cultural Institutions, Sapiiny cultural institution and Sabiny Supreme Clans Leadership making it difficult for the Ministry to publish one Institution in the National Gazette.
With the above, the Ministry, informed the Chief administrative officers, the Chairpersons of Kapchorwa, Kween and Bukwo local governments that the submission were referred to respective district for further management in line with the law, and to provide technical guidance to the councilors of the districts and lower local councils during meeting to discuss the Sebei cultural leader.
In an attempt to resolve the conflicts. Kapcharwa RDC called for dialogue meeting on the 14th March 2023, for the four Cultural institutions: the Sapliny Cultural Institution headed by Prophet Mukung Tafala. Sabiny supreme clan’s leadership headed by Canon Charop Eriza. Saboat Cultural Institution headed by Bilal Matui Il and Chemasuet Sausan.
The RDC and district security team tasked Prophet Mukung Tafala to Chair a meeting for the prophets to settle their differences and agree on one cultural leader, while the Sabiny Supreme clans Leadership were advised to unite the prophets for sake of peace and stability in the Sebei region.
According to the group, Prophet Mukung Tafala successfully conducted the meeting and submitted the Prophets’ diologue report to the Kapchorwa ROC for further management.
INTERFERANCE OF THE RESTORATION OF SEBEI CULTURAL INSTITUTION
The two parties accused the Sebei church of Uganda diocese and some Councilors from Bukwo, Kween and Kapchorwa local Governmment for interfering with the restoration of Sebei (Sapiiny) cultural Institution.
Blow is the list of people accused by Major Leonard Chemonges and Kukoo Mukung Tafala;
1 Hon. Ngiryo Samuel LCV councilor of Bukwo district representing Chekwasta sub county, active Church of Uganda Christian and elected speaker of the Sabiny supreme clan leadership.
2 Peter Swikey from Kutung Church of Uganda, son of the late Canon Reverend Kissa of Kutung church of Uganda, elected cultural leader.
- David Arap Kissa from Kakwamurya church of Uganda, brother to Peter Swilkey a son of the late Canon Rev. Kisua of Kutung church of Uganda.
- Twetuk David, who is said to be an active Rev. Kabengurya Church of Uganda and the secretary of the Sabiny supreme clan leadership.
- Hon. Cherukut Jeshua Cheme, LCV councilor representing elderly persons Kapchorwa district council from Kwomo Church of Uganda.
B. Hon. Sunguka Stephen. Kween district LCV councilor representing elderly from Binyiny Town council and a member Of Binyiny church of Uganda. He is Said to be a member of the Sabiny supreme clan leadership.
- Mr. Chelangat Sam, from Tuban Church of Uganda
- Hon. Mwanaway Julius, Kween district LCV councilor representing elderly from Kaproron Town council and a member of Chemwania church of Uganda and said to be a member of the Sabiny supreme clan leadership.
9. G4 businessmen
The two parties also noted that the other believers; the Moslems, Catholics and born again Christians are getting concerned on actions by Sebei sub region Church of Uganda interference in the restoration of the Sebei cultural institution which they believe is contrary to Act 8, section 13, which prohibits traditional or cultural leaders not to join or participate in partisan politics.
According to the act, a person shall not, while remaining a traditional or cultural leader, join or participate in partisan politics.
“A traditional leader or cultural leader wishing to take part in and seeking elective office shall abdicate his position in the institution not less than ninety days before nomination in respect of that election Mr. Lamin Kassim a Civil Servant, Law enforcement officer and a GISO of Binyiny Town Council is a spokesperson for Sabiny supreme clans Leadership. contrary to Part V. Restrictions on a traditional or cultural leader.,” read another part of the letter.
Act 8 section 12. Exercise of administration, legislative or executive powers. A traditional or cultural leader shall not have or exercise any administration. legislative or executive powers of Government or local government.
Electoral body formation:
The two parties noted that the electoral body was single handedly picked by a handful of clan leaders of the SABINY Supreme Clans Leadership noting that it’s not recognized by the Sapiiny community noting that it has never existed in the Sapiny cultural institution set up.
According to them, the election was presided over by John Yeko Mangusho son of Rev. Araba of Kirwako Church of Uganda to elect a son of another Rev. Kissa which they termed as unfortunate.
“Despite all these attempts to harmonize these differences, the Sabiny Supreme clans Leadership went ahead to hold election of their clan leader and claimed as a King of Sebei region.This is contrary to the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, article 246 which is operationalized by the institution of traditional or cultural leader’s Act. 2011,” they added.
“Instead of executing their cardinal role of settling conflict within the community, the clan leaders have conflict of interest and they thentselves nspired for the posts of traditional or cultural leader and yet cultural leadership in Sebei sub region existed time immemorial and was/in led by Prophets from Kapchai clan before/after the British protectorate government,” they added.
The parties noted that RDC Kapchorwa District dismissed the claims that the election for KINGOO OR CULTURAL LEADER OF SEBEL by SABINY SUPREME CLANS LEADERSHIP took place in his office on 01/Sept/2023, where Mr. Peter Swilkey Kissa was elected as Sebei Kingoo/Cultural leader.
“Through such false claims and demands to Sebei sub region lower local governments. Peter Swilkey Kissa is enjoying both political and technical favoritism from sympathizers in Sebei District Local government. Sebei Church of Uganda diocese”, they added.
They further noted that the claims by Peter Swilkey as a legitimate Sebei (Sapiiny cultural leader) will trigger insecurity in the Sebei Sulb Region since the election conducted by Sabiny Supreme Clan Leadership without the participation of other parties is null and void.
They also noted that, they have heard from reliable sources that Peter Swilkey group are organizing the opening of this year’s circumcision ceremony in Bukan District on 1 December 2024.
“This is to caution the kind of provocation is not acceptable by us. In case of any bloodshed the government should blame it on Peter Swilkey’s group and Sebei Sub Region security. Local and Central Government Leadership,” they added.
They also appealed that all parties show restraint and act responsibly during and after the restoration of the Sebei Cultural Institution.
Lastly, they called upon the Sebei (Sapiiny) Council of Elders or clan Leaders, Sebei Sub- Regional local Governments, Church leaders, Moslem leaders, RDC’S Sebei Sub-region and security officers to play Key roles in peaceful guidance in the restoration of Sebei cultural institution as per Act 6 Part V, section 16. Resolution of conflicts, clause (1).
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