By Okidi Patrick
KABERAMAIDO, UGANDA- March 30, 2026: The Paramount chief of Kumam Heritage (Etok me Kumam), HH Raphael Otaya has called for a joint effort to advance girl-child education in Kumam Kingdom.
The Paramount Chief of Kumam Cultural Heritage( Etok me Kumam), Raphael Otaya, has called for renewed collective action to promote and protect the education of the girl child across the Kumam chiefdom.
In an interview on Monday, Otaya underscored the transformative role of educating girls, describing it as essential for the social and economic advancement of families and communities.
He, however, noted that a number of challenges continue to hinder girls from accessing and completing education, including poverty, teenage pregnancies, early marriages, and inadequate school infrastructure.
The cultural leader urged parents and guardians to prioritise education for their daughters, while calling on policymakers and leaders at all levels to strengthen interventions that support girl-child education.
He further emphasised the need for collaboration among cultural institutions, religious leaders, and government to address harmful practices and societal attitudes that undermine the future of girls.
Otaya observed that although the Kumam are spread across districts such as Amolatar District, Kalaki District, Dokolo District, Kaberamaido District, and Soroti District, they are predominantly settled in Amolatar.
He also raised concern over school absenteeism, cautioning parents against keeping children at home during the school term, and pointed to growing cases of child neglect, where some children are sent on errands late in the evening at the expense of their education and well-being.
Meanwhile, Amolatar Resident District Commissioner Francis Odoki and other leaders, together with the Kumam Cultural Heritage, recently pledged to work jointly to address education gaps and improve livelihoods in Amolatar District.
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