Christianity, tradition clash at Obote’s succession
Jan 10, 2007
The recent installation of the eldest son Tony Akaki Nekyon as former president Apollo Milton Obote’s heir, had a little hitch when Christian ethics and Langi traditional practices clashed.
By Geresom Musamali
The recent installation of the eldest son Tony Akaki Nekyon as former president Apollo Milton Obote’s heir, had a little hitch when Christian ethics and Langi traditional practices clashed.
To bless them, Akaki was sprinkling water on members of the family as part of the Oyima clan ritual. He caused a stir after one of his brothers, Bishop Eddy Engena Maitum of Briton Morning Star Ministries (Nairobi) ducked from him.
Thousands of Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party faithfuls and merely curious onlookers were bemused by the bishop’s action during the December 28, 2006 ceremony at Akokoro, Apac District.
The Government was not formally represented, but Oyima clan member and Human Rights Commissioner, Joel Aliro Omara, was master of ceremonies. There was plenty of eating and some dancing. Party chants were sung very coolly and soberly.
Obote’s four sons first lined up by their father’s graveside with their backs to the grave. Their mother Miria Kalule Obote stayed in the crowd.
Lira Municipality MP Jimmy Akena, the third son, stood uneasily on the extreme right. Akaki, a United Nations employee, dwarfed in comparison to Akena, was next to the MP.
Akaki was followed by Benjamin Opeto, the last born, a student of accountancy at the University of Zambia (UNZA) Great East Road Campus. On the extreme left was Engena, the third born. The daughter, Esther, begotten from a different woman, was absent.
Led by physically disabled Jacob Opeto, a cousin to Obote, nine elders went round the grave and the children three times, in what spectators thought was a process to anoint Akena, the only politically active of the children, as heir. Opeto moved with the aid of his metallic crutch held in his right hand.
He carried two spears in the left hand. Somebody later brought him a Bible and a walking stick.
The stick is what Obote used in the 1960s and 1980s as post-independence Prime Minister and president of Uganda respectively, while the Bible is what he used in recent times before he died, after he became born-again (saved).
After the third round Opeto stayed off the established path and made as if to dive for Akena, whom many people in the audience thought would be the chosen one. But Opeto stopped just short of Akena, moved slightly to the left and pulled out Akaki from the queue.
There were both cheers and disappointments as Opeto pulled Akaki towards Miria and Oyima clan head (Awitong) Alhaj Akbar Adoko Nekyon, who then announced that the elders had picked Akaki for the vital duty of heir to Dr Obote.
Nekyon then invited the other three sons to join Akaki in front of a large table at which Mama Miria was seated.
Nekyon asked Akaki: “Do you swear that you are of the Oyima clan? Do you swear that you are a Langi? Do you swear to risk your life to protect the culture of the Oyima and the land of the Langi from people who might want to grab it forcefully?â€
To all the questions Akaki coolly replied: “I do.â€
“Do you also swear to take care of your mother, your brothers, aunts, uncles and other relatives without discrimination?â€
To that Akaki also replied in the affirmative. Nekyon then got one of the spears from Opeto and handed it to Akaki, to symbolise the traditional power of an heir. He also handed to Akaki the walking stick to symbolise the political power of the late UPC leader who was also Uganda’s first republican president. A Bible, which Obote reportedly used in exile in Zambia during his last days as a born-again Christian was also given to Akaki.
The Awitong announced that because Akaki is an international civil servant, he would not be able to fulfil all the expectations of the heir. Akaki decided to pass on the hook-shaped walking stick to Akena and the Bible to Bishop Engena Maitum. Nekyon swung the stick gently and hanged it around Akena’s neck.
“Akena, you have inherited your father’s political leadership. Uganda is still in a very difficult situation. I urge you to be firm, decisive and focused,†Nekyon said.
It was then time for the blessings. The Lango Christian clergy, led by Lango Diocese Bishop John Odurkami and Retired Bishop Benedict Otim, walked away at this stage.
The family moved back to the grave, this time with Miria, her daughters-in law and grand-children.
Using a bunch of leaves, Nekyon sprinkled water on Akaki first then onto the other members of the family. He in turn gave Akaki the leaves to repeat the process on the family.
Bishop Engena skipped away just as Akaki was in the process of sprinkling water on him.
The function was attended by Gulu district chairman, Nobert Mao. After the installation, clan members also cast ballots to select the names of children for Akena and Akaki. The name Obote was chosen for both children.
Sources, however, said there was nothing surprising or wrong about the choice of the heir and the naming of the children. It is a normal ceremony.
Charles Agum, one of the elders, said: “Our selection of the heir was not abrupt. We held a meeting three days ago and agreed on the modalities which will make every child accept our decision.†Family members approached declined to comment about the choice.
The recent installation of the eldest son Tony Akaki Nekyon as former president Apollo Milton Obote’s heir, had a little hitch when Christian ethics and Langi traditional practices clashed.
To bless them, Akaki was sprinkling water on members of the family as part of the Oyima clan ritual. He caused a stir after one of his brothers, Bishop Eddy Engena Maitum of Briton Morning Star Ministries (Nairobi) ducked from him.
Thousands of Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party faithfuls and merely curious onlookers were bemused by the bishop’s action during the December 28, 2006 ceremony at Akokoro, Apac District.
The Government was not formally represented, but Oyima clan member and Human Rights Commissioner, Joel Aliro Omara, was master of ceremonies. There was plenty of eating and some dancing. Party chants were sung very coolly and soberly.
Obote’s four sons first lined up by their father’s graveside with their backs to the grave. Their mother Miria Kalule Obote stayed in the crowd.
Lira Municipality MP Jimmy Akena, the third son, stood uneasily on the extreme right. Akaki, a United Nations employee, dwarfed in comparison to Akena, was next to the MP.
Akaki was followed by Benjamin Opeto, the last born, a student of accountancy at the University of Zambia (UNZA) Great East Road Campus. On the extreme left was Engena, the third born. The daughter, Esther, begotten from a different woman, was absent.
Led by physically disabled Jacob Opeto, a cousin to Obote, nine elders went round the grave and the children three times, in what spectators thought was a process to anoint Akena, the only politically active of the children, as heir. Opeto moved with the aid of his metallic crutch held in his right hand.
He carried two spears in the left hand. Somebody later brought him a Bible and a walking stick.
The stick is what Obote used in the 1960s and 1980s as post-independence Prime Minister and president of Uganda respectively, while the Bible is what he used in recent times before he died, after he became born-again (saved).
After the third round Opeto stayed off the established path and made as if to dive for Akena, whom many people in the audience thought would be the chosen one. But Opeto stopped just short of Akena, moved slightly to the left and pulled out Akaki from the queue.
There were both cheers and disappointments as Opeto pulled Akaki towards Miria and Oyima clan head (Awitong) Alhaj Akbar Adoko Nekyon, who then announced that the elders had picked Akaki for the vital duty of heir to Dr Obote.
Nekyon then invited the other three sons to join Akaki in front of a large table at which Mama Miria was seated.
Nekyon asked Akaki: “Do you swear that you are of the Oyima clan? Do you swear that you are a Langi? Do you swear to risk your life to protect the culture of the Oyima and the land of the Langi from people who might want to grab it forcefully?â€
To all the questions Akaki coolly replied: “I do.â€
“Do you also swear to take care of your mother, your brothers, aunts, uncles and other relatives without discrimination?â€
To that Akaki also replied in the affirmative. Nekyon then got one of the spears from Opeto and handed it to Akaki, to symbolise the traditional power of an heir. He also handed to Akaki the walking stick to symbolise the political power of the late UPC leader who was also Uganda’s first republican president. A Bible, which Obote reportedly used in exile in Zambia during his last days as a born-again Christian was also given to Akaki.
The Awitong announced that because Akaki is an international civil servant, he would not be able to fulfil all the expectations of the heir. Akaki decided to pass on the hook-shaped walking stick to Akena and the Bible to Bishop Engena Maitum. Nekyon swung the stick gently and hanged it around Akena’s neck.
“Akena, you have inherited your father’s political leadership. Uganda is still in a very difficult situation. I urge you to be firm, decisive and focused,†Nekyon said.
It was then time for the blessings. The Lango Christian clergy, led by Lango Diocese Bishop John Odurkami and Retired Bishop Benedict Otim, walked away at this stage.
The family moved back to the grave, this time with Miria, her daughters-in law and grand-children.
Using a bunch of leaves, Nekyon sprinkled water on Akaki first then onto the other members of the family. He in turn gave Akaki the leaves to repeat the process on the family.
Bishop Engena skipped away just as Akaki was in the process of sprinkling water on him.
The function was attended by Gulu district chairman, Nobert Mao. After the installation, clan members also cast ballots to select the names of children for Akena and Akaki. The name Obote was chosen for both children.
Sources, however, said there was nothing surprising or wrong about the choice of the heir and the naming of the children. It is a normal ceremony.
Charles Agum, one of the elders, said: “Our selection of the heir was not abrupt. We held a meeting three days ago and agreed on the modalities which will make every child accept our decision.†Family members approached declined to comment about the choice.