Power Struggle in Acholi: Rival Chiefs Clash Over Paramount Leadership

The Paramount Chief of Acholi, David Onen Acana II, has convened an urgent assembly of all chiefs within the Acholi Sub-region amidst an ongoing internal struggle within the Acholi Cultural Institution.

This summons follows closely on the heels of a rival group of chiefs announcing their own gathering in Kitgum Municipality, aiming to select a new Paramount Chief of Acholi on June 14.

Under the leadership of interim chairperson Richard Santo Apire, this rival faction parted ways with Acana’s leadership in June last year, citing allegations of financial mismanagement, failure to establish a constitution, and attempts to sell off properties belonging to the Acholi Cultural Institution.

With the election imminent, Rwot Acana has called upon chiefs from the 58 chiefdoms and their prime ministers to convene and deliberate on crucial matters pertaining to the cultural institution.

Okello Okuna, spokesperson for the Acholi Cultural Institution, verified that invitations for a council of chiefs meeting on Tuesday were dispatched by the Paramount Chief.

Okuna elaborated that while the Council of Chiefs typically convenes quarterly, this particular agenda will scrutinize whether certain chiefs indeed endorsed a purported constitution and whether they endorse the impending election.

“The rival chiefs allege they have garnered support from 40 chiefs for their proposed election. Tomorrow, these chiefs will authenticate their signatures and resolve any discrepancies,” Okuna stated.

A copy of the constitution crafted by the opposing faction, obtained by Uganda Radio Network, has been officially published and submitted to the Uganda Registration Service Bureau (URSB), bearing the signatures of at least 39 chiefs.

However, Okuna hinted that initial inquiries suggest the signatures may have been falsified by a single individual.

Describing the rival chiefs’ move to elect a new Paramount Chief as a setback, Okuna argued that the majority of chiefs do not endorse the notion.

Justine Ociti Binyi, Chief of Pagak Clan and overseeing finance and administration in the dissident faction, revealed that an interim speaker, Canon Joseph Oneka, has been designated to ensure transparency in the forthcoming election.

On May 31, the rival chiefs, represented by interim chairperson Rwot Richard Santo Apire, penned a letter to Parliament Speaker Annet Anita Among, soliciting financial support to finance the election of the new Paramount Chief. Apire outlined that they require a budget of 72.3 million Shillings for the election.

The freshly ratified constitution by the breakaway faction stipulates that the term of office for a newly elected Paramount Chief of Acholi will be five years, with the option of renewal only once.