OYAM DISTRICT, UGANDA – In a decisive move to preserve the heritage and future of the Okii Raki Okwero Coboro clan, the clan head, Odongo Emmy Joe, has issued a strict directive prohibiting the sale of clan land to cover funeral expenses.
Odongo issued the decree on Saturday during a visit to his subjects residing in Ayomapwono, located in Loro Sub County, Oyam district. The visit was part of his ongoing efforts to engage with the community and assert the clan's traditional governance structures.
Addressing a gathering of clan members, Odongo emphasized that land is a sacred and permanent asset that must remain within the family for future generations.
"No one from Okii Raki Okwero Coboro is allowed to sell land to cater for burial expenses," Odongo declared firmly. "Land must remain for the people even after the death of the individual. It is the responsibility of the clan to bury their children when they die."
The clan chief offered a practical solution to the financial burden of funerals, urging members to rely on communal support rather than liquidating their most valuable asset. He suggested that families could collect small food items like beans to facilitate a burial, effectively eliminating the need to sell ancestral plots.
Odongo also took the opportunity to address internal political challenges to his leadership. He dismissed those opposing his rule, stating that his position was secure and legitimate.
"No one will remove me now because I have been sworn in and coronated already," he asserted, reinforcing his authority as the recognized leader.
He went further to accuse his detractors of being corrupt and lacking concern for the welfare of the clan members. "Those few who are opposing my leadership are corrupt and they don’t mind about the welfare of the clan members," Odongo stated, positioning himself as the protector of the community's interests.
In response to his message, the residents of Ayomapwono and surrounding areas expressed their unwavering support for the clan head. The community pledged their allegiance to Odongo Emmy Joe, vowing to stand by him and support his leadership moving forward.
