Acholi chiefdom saga: Why rival chiefs were a no-show at meeting

A section of clan chiefs opposed to the leadership of Acholi Paramount Chief David Onen Acana II have cited why they were a no-show at the Saturday meeting organised by Acana.

The distressed chiefs, led by Rwot Richard Santo Apire of the Atiak chiefdom, organised a parallel meeting at Acaki Lodge in Kitgum town on the same day.

During their meeting, the chiefs said they would never set feet at the Acholi Cultural Institution (Ker Kwaro Acholi) unless a cleansing ritual is executed.

They accused deputy paramount chief Otinga Otto Yai II of sending them away from Ker Kwaro Acholi on June 20, 2023.

The chiefs who are steering the Acholi chiefs who are opposed to Rwot Achana II, Rwot Richard Santo Apire, the interem Chairman and Rwot John Ogenga Obita in a blue jacket. (Photo by Claude Omona)

The Acholi chief on that day called for a council of chiefs meeting, which was blocked by Yai who said it was illegal.

The chiefs later assembled at Sports View Hotel in Gulu city where they appointed Atiak clan chief Richard Santo Apire as their chairperson for the next three months.

Achana later wrote a letter calling all the Acholi Chiefs for a meeting scheduled on July 8, 2023, at the Ker Kwaro Acholi. 

However, Apire rejected calls for negotiations insisting that he [Acana] must vacate Ker Kwaro Acholi.

No need for cleansing ceremony

Lamogi clan chief Otinga Otto Yai II, however, rubbished the rival chiefs saying most of them are not truly chiefs.

“There is no need to have the cleansing ceremony because most of them are not chiefs, but masquerades in their clans," Otinga said.

No negotiation

The chiefs say they would not want to negotiate but call on Rwot Achana II to relinquish the throne and remain the chief of the Payira clan.

Apire said the role of the paramount chief is to be rotational among the 54 clans, but that Acana II, who was aware that they do not have a constitution wants to remain the paramount chief permanently.

John Peko Lugai II, the chief of Palwo chiefdom in Pader district, said they were not interested in negotiations.

Some of the chiefs accused Achana of turning down their invites for a meeting with the rest of the chiefs even after three attempts.