By Our Reporter 

Entebbe – In a vibrant prelude to Africa Liberation Day celebrations, the Kumam Cultural Heritage (KUCH), under the leadership of His Royal Highness Won Ateker Raphael Otaya, took center stage with a regal and colorful welcome ceremony at Entebbe International Airport. The Sunday, May 25th, 2025 celebration will be held at Kololo Airstrip in Kampala.

Amidst traditional dances, ancestral drumming, and symbolic royal pageantry, the Kumam Kingdom proudly showcased its cultural splendor, marking its significant role in this year’s Pan African Movement activities.

Organized by the Pan African Movement Uganda National Chapter, chaired by Njima Ben Bob Bolt, the 2025 Africa Liberation Day focuses on unity, sovereignty, and indigenous heritage across the continent. The Kumam Kingdom—based in eastern Uganda—has emerged as a central cultural force, aligning its traditions with the broader Pan-African vision.

“This celebration is more than an event; it is a statement of cultural pride, unity, and our commitment to the Pan-African agenda,” said HRH Won Ateker Raphael Otaya during the welcome ceremony.

International delegates led by HRH Paul Jonn Eganda, President of the AIDO Network, and Queen Grace Eganda, graced the occasion, emphasizing the role of traditional leadership in bridging global African communities. Their presence was bolstered by other distinguished guests including HRH Dr. Alhaji Bashir of Yobe State, Nigeria, the Emir of Machina Bukar Manchinama, and HRM Dr. Makorani O. Mungase IV of Kenya.

The diverse international turnout highlighted growing global recognition of indigenous African institutions and their role in fostering transcontinental cooperation.

Ugandan royal leaders, notably HRH Won Ateker Raphael Otaya, used the platform to thank President Yoweri Museveni for his efforts in reviving and supporting cultural institutions. “These structures are the custodians of our values, identity, and wisdom,” Otaya said. “Restoring them is vital to ensuring that future generations inherit the best of Africa.”

Other global figures in attendance include Dr. Hillary Brown, Queen Achom Asianut II, Dr. Angela Chan, and Dr. Neculai Emanoil Vintila, reinforcing the global significance of the Pan-African cause.

The event’s theme—centered on breaking down divisions among African people—found vivid expression in the unity displayed among over a dozen royal dignitaries gathered under one cultural roof.

Following the national celebrations in Kampala, the royal delegation will journey to Soroti District, where they’ll receive a traditional welcome at HRH Otaya’s ancestral home in Katine Sub-county.

This year’s celebration is especially symbolic for the Kumam Kingdom, marking its first major cultural milestone since gaining autonomy in 2022 and the enthronement of HRH Won Ateker in 2023. It represents a powerful chapter in the continent’s movement toward reclaiming its identity, strengthening indigenous institutions, and promoting unity across borders.