Alur king urges govt intervention on cross-border movement of his subjects

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Rwoth Phillip Rauni Olarker has marked 15 years on the Alur Kingdom throne with a call to Government to intervene in a matter regarding the cross-border movement of the Alur between Uganda and DR Congo.

Speaking at his coronation anniversary celebrations in Zombo district on Friday, the monarch said that while the Alur in DR Congo are allowed to move into Uganda free of charge, the reverse is not true for their Ugandan counterparts.

Rwoth Phillip Rauni Olarker (Photo by Edna Piyic)

The Alur king said diplomatic talks between the two neighbouring countries would help resolve this.

"We are one people. The Alur in the DRC and in Uganda are the same. For us, the Alur, we don't have any geographical borderline."

Olarker delivered his message during the event that was held at Kyambogo University, formerly Paidha Primary Teachers' College.

In a mix of English and Alur dialect, the Alur king also asked the government to elevate Paidha Town Council into a municipality, pointing to the area's business activity.

"With the way Paidha is currently, it loses meaning to have it as a town council. Look at the booming businesses. It contributes a lot to the economy. Therefore, the people of Zombo want a municipality," he said.

Festus Ayikobua, the resident district commissioner of Zombo, acknowledged particularly the cross-border concern.

He pledged to deliver the message to President Yoweri Museveni since he is the presidential representative at the district.

This year's coronation anniversary was themed around wealth creation for the Alur. 

In line with the theme, the king urged his subjects to adjust their mindset towards work and venture into art, tourism and entrepreneurship as alternate income-generating activities.

The Alur are predominantly agriculturalists.

Meanwhile, the kingdom's deputy prime minister, Vincent Ochaya, called on the government to fulfil its pledges, included the construction of King's Palace and places for traditional chiefs.

Other pledges include a mini bus for traditional chiefs, 50 million shillings to SACCOS, development of traditional cultural sites and the development and construction of a traditional cultural heritage centre for the kingdom.

Daniel Ojok, a subject of Paidha Omua chiefdom, hailed the king for lobbying for support for them from the government.