Stop The Double Standards! Mukula Should Desist From Intimidating Cultural Leaders.

By now, most people in Eastern Uganda have heard the noise being made by Mukula and his team. They are accusing His Highness Papa Won Ateker Raphael Otaya of “political meddling” simply because he attended the homecoming event of Mr. Echodu. But let’s pause for a moment and ask one important question, why is it only a problem when Papa Won Ateker attends an event for someone who is not in Mukula’s camp?

Not long ago, Mukula himself was seen trying to win favour from another respected cultural leader, His Highness Papa Emorimor. He spoke well of him, smiled for the cameras, and tried to associate himself with the cultural institution. No one shouted “political meddling” then. No articles were written to accuse Mukula of violating the Constitution. So why the sudden panic now?

What exactly did Papa Won Ateker do wrong? In fact, what he said was clear and wise: “Choose a leader who can work for you and your children.” That is not partisan. That is good advice. Cultural leaders are allowed to speak about values, leadership, and community development. What they cannot do is tell people to vote for a specific party or candidate and Papa Won Ateker did no such thing.

Mukula’s team is now circulating a video, taken out of context, claiming Papa Won Ateker told people to “rally behind Echodu.” But even if he said something supportive, is that enough to cause all this noise? Wasn’t it Mukula who once stood next to Papa Emorimor, smiling and using his presence to boost his political brand? Where were the complaints then?

This kind of behaviour shows us one thing clearly; Mukula and his team are afraid. They see that Mr. Echodu is gaining support not just from political players, but from respected cultural figures and the ordinary people. And instead of engaging in fair and respectful competition, they are now playing dirty—accusing, twisting facts, and launching personal attacks.

For instance, after former Ambassador Ocheger openly endorsed Mr. Echodu, sudden corruption accusations were thrown at him by Mukula’s media team. Similarly, when Ms. Caroline Angolere, the Special Presidential Assistant on Political Affairs, endorsed Mr. Echodu, scandals were quickly stirred up in an attempt to tarnish her reputation. Now, Papa Won Ateker attends a public event, and he is being accused of breaking the Constitution. This is not just political strategy it is intimidation. And worse, it is disrespectful to the cultural leaders of our land.

Mukula’s team is now pushing for a parallel cultural institution to be formed one that serves their political goals. They claim they want to “restore cultural pride,” but what they are really doing is dividing the Kumam community for their own selfish benefit. They want a cultural leader who obeys their political instructions, not one who speaks freely for the good of the people.

But let us be clear: culture is not a political tool. Cultural leaders are not supposed to be silent puppets. They are fathers to the community. They are allowed to guide, advise, and speak truthfully. If Mukula and his team respected culture, they would honour all cultural leaders, not only the ones who clap for them.

This country’s Constitution, under Article 246, says that cultural leaders must be non-partisan. That means they must not campaign for any party. But it does not mean they must shut their mouths when the community faces bad leadership. It does not mean they should avoid events just because a certain politician is present. Being non-partisan does not mean being blind or silent.

So we ask Mukula and his team: why are you so quick to attack cultural leaders when they don’t support you, yet so happy to use them when they do? Why is it that only your opponents are accused of breaking the Constitution?

The people of Kumam and Eastern Uganda deserve better. We deserve respectful politics, clean competition, and leaders who don’t insult our elders just to win votes. Mr. Echodu and his team have chosen peace, respect, and unity. Mukula’s team has chosen division, fear, and smear campaigns.

But the truth always comes out. The people are watching. And this time, they are choosing wisely not based on noise and threats, but based on who can truly work for them and their children.

Let us keep our culture sacred, our leaders respected, and our politics clean.