Uukwambi royal family calls for restoration of kingship
Clarifies misunderstandings over ancestral commemoration
The family argues that, like the Uukwanyama, who regained their kingship post-independence, Uukwambi deserves the restoration of its traditional leadership.
The Uukwambi Royal Family has publicly reaffirmed its call for the restoration of traditional kingship in the Uukwambi Kingdom.
Historical injustices, misrepresentations surrounding a 2024 commemoration event and the need to preserve ancestral heritage were cited as key motivations behind their appeal.
In a detailed press statement, Uukwambi Royal Council chairperson Anna Niita Festus provided historical context tracing the region’s lineage of traditional leadership back to the 1750s.
Festus said Uukwambi was ruled by kings (eeshamba) and chiefs (omalenga) until 1932, when King Iipumbu ya Tshirongo’s palace was bombed by colonial forces and he was exiled. No member of his royal bloodline has ruled since.
The family argues that, like the Uukwanyama, who regained their kingship post-independence, Uukwambi deserves the restoration of its traditional leadership.
“Our kingship was forcibly removed by colonial intervention, and its restoration is long overdue,” Festus said.
Recent squabbles
She said central to the recent conflict is a 15 August 2024 event organised by the royal family at Okakango Ka Abed Ha Kandongo, intended to commemorate the 1932 attack on King Iipumbu’s palace. The family emphasises that it was a private family event, not a community-wide traditional ceremony.
Despite inviting the Uukwambi Traditional Authority (UTA) to attend, Festus said the authority declined, citing prior commitments, and subsequently sought a court interdict to stop the event.
She noted that the UTA alleged the family intended to install a new king and claimed the event contravened the Traditional Authorities Act.
“The court ruled in favour of the UTA, ordering the royal family to cover legal costs, which they have since settled. The royal family maintains that the event was wrongly portrayed and insists it never sought to establish an alternative traditional authority,” Festus stressed.
She said the royal family clarified its stance on the commemoration of Uukwambi history. While respecting the UTA-designated date of 9 September, which marks King Iipumbu’s death, they have also chosen 15 August as a day to honour the 1932 tragedy within the family.
Primary care
Additionally, the royal family stressed that the upkeep and restoration of former kings’ graves remain their primary responsibility.
“The renovation of our ancestors’ graves is not only a duty but an act of respect. We will continue this work and invite cooperation where appropriate,” Festus said, adding that despite past legal and institutional disagreements, the Uukwambi royal family reaffirmed its willingness to work with the UTA and other stakeholders.
“Our goal is not conflict but collaboration – to reclaim our heritage and restore governance rooted in our ancestors’ ways,” she said.
Festus called on the Uukwambi community and the Namibian nation to recognise the legitimacy of the royal family’s demands and to support the path toward reinstating Uukwambi’s traditional kingship.
Last year, chief Herman Iipumbu, on behalf of UTA, dragged the royal family, represented by Wellem Amwaama and Seblon Shivolo, to the High Court to stop them from having a commemoration ceremony for their departed kings.
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Historical injustices, misrepresentations surrounding a 2024 commemoration event and the need to preserve ancestral heritage were cited as key motivations behind their appeal.
In a detailed press statement, Uukwambi Royal Council chairperson Anna Niita Festus provided historical context tracing the region’s lineage of traditional leadership back to the 1750s.
Festus said Uukwambi was ruled by kings (eeshamba) and chiefs (omalenga) until 1932, when King Iipumbu ya Tshirongo’s palace was bombed by colonial forces and he was exiled. No member of his royal bloodline has ruled since.
The family argues that, like the Uukwanyama, who regained their kingship post-independence, Uukwambi deserves the restoration of its traditional leadership.
“Our kingship was forcibly removed by colonial intervention, and its restoration is long overdue,” Festus said.
Recent squabbles
She said central to the recent conflict is a 15 August 2024 event organised by the royal family at Okakango Ka Abed Ha Kandongo, intended to commemorate the 1932 attack on King Iipumbu’s palace. The family emphasises that it was a private family event, not a community-wide traditional ceremony.
Despite inviting the Uukwambi Traditional Authority (UTA) to attend, Festus said the authority declined, citing prior commitments, and subsequently sought a court interdict to stop the event.
She noted that the UTA alleged the family intended to install a new king and claimed the event contravened the Traditional Authorities Act.
“The court ruled in favour of the UTA, ordering the royal family to cover legal costs, which they have since settled. The royal family maintains that the event was wrongly portrayed and insists it never sought to establish an alternative traditional authority,” Festus stressed.
She said the royal family clarified its stance on the commemoration of Uukwambi history. While respecting the UTA-designated date of 9 September, which marks King Iipumbu’s death, they have also chosen 15 August as a day to honour the 1932 tragedy within the family.
Primary care
Additionally, the royal family stressed that the upkeep and restoration of former kings’ graves remain their primary responsibility.
“The renovation of our ancestors’ graves is not only a duty but an act of respect. We will continue this work and invite cooperation where appropriate,” Festus said, adding that despite past legal and institutional disagreements, the Uukwambi royal family reaffirmed its willingness to work with the UTA and other stakeholders.
“Our goal is not conflict but collaboration – to reclaim our heritage and restore governance rooted in our ancestors’ ways,” she said.
Festus called on the Uukwambi community and the Namibian nation to recognise the legitimacy of the royal family’s demands and to support the path toward reinstating Uukwambi’s traditional kingship.
Last year, chief Herman Iipumbu, on behalf of UTA, dragged the royal family, represented by Wellem Amwaama and Seblon Shivolo, to the High Court to stop them from having a commemoration ceremony for their departed kings.
- [email protected]
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