By Mike Rwothomio
The Chairman of the Uganda Kings and Cultural Leaders Forum, Isabarongo Mwatansozi Mwogezi Butamanya, has called on the Alur people to embrace the sacred duty of expanding their family lineages by raising more responsible children, thereby strengthening their cultural and communal influence.
He shared these insights during his inaugural visit to His Royal Majesty Phillip Rauni Ularker III, the revered King of Alur, on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at Kal Atyak Winam.
Isabarongo, who also holds the esteemed title of Isabaruuli (cultural leader) of Buruuli, pointed to the Buganda Kingdom as a model of matrimonial and cultural strength.
He noted that Buganda’s large and united family clans grant them a powerful voice in negotiations with government bodies and NGOs, a strength rooted in their thriving population.
“I urge the Alur people to enter into fruitful unions and raise at least five children per household,” he declared.
“Through responsible marriages, we can increase our bargaining power and secure our place in the future.”
Experts affirm that a growing population, when guided by wise cultural practices and policies, can spark economic prosperity.
A larger labor force, born of stable family units, supports sustainable development—provided it is balanced with the stewardship of natural resources and environmental harmony.
This publication has observed that many Alur youths, particularly those in urban settings, delay the sacred rites of marriage. Others, after the dissolution of their marital bonds, choose to remain solitary rather than rebuild their family hearths.
Isabarongo offered his own legacy as an example, proudly noting that he has nurtured 30 children through enduring marital commitment.
Seven of his offspring hold Bachelor’s degrees, while others have earned diplomas and various qualifications, embodying the fruits of a well-tended family tree.
“Learn to leave a legacy through your lineage,” he encouraged the Alur subjects.
According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, the Baganda form the largest ethnic group in Uganda, comprising approximately 16.9% of the population, followed by the Banyankore, Basoga, Bakiga, and other clans.
The Alur Kingdom, spanning 56 chiefdoms— in Uganda and 8 in DR Congo—counts over 800,000 souls in Uganda, per the 2024 UBOS census. Yet, Kingdom officials assert that their true numbers exceed 8 million, encompassing the vast majority of their kin residing in Eastern DR Congo and beyond.
His Majesty Ubimu Phillip Rauni Ularker III warmly embraced Isabarongo’s counsel, urging his subjects to approach procreation with matrimonial responsibility.
He emphasized that the Alur surpass the Baganda in number when accounting for those in Bunyoro, Acholi, Buganda, DR Congo, and other regions.
Experts note that a flourishing population, born of strong marital unions, heightens the demand for essentials like food, water, shelter, energy, healthcare, and transportation—needs that often draw greater support from government and NGOs.
Drawing from the biblical mandate in Genesis 1:28, Sunday Omirambe, an Alur from Jangokoro Sub-County and a 2026 aspirant for the Okoro County MP seat, echoed Isabarongo’s call.
“He speaks the truth,” Omirambe told this publication, adding “We Alur are few in number, and numbers are strength. The more children we raise within responsible marriages, the louder our voices will resound—but we must care for them well.”
In the wake of COVID-19, the Kingdom has seen a rise in single mothers, left to uphold their family lines after being abandoned by young men shirking their marital and paternal duties.
Over the years, the Alur Kingdom has championed initiatives to promote education, especially for the girl child, while issuing regular calls for hard work to inspire a productive life.
These efforts, the Kingdom believes, lay the groundwork for resilient family units capable of raising children with purpose, fostering a responsible population increase.
A robust population, nurtured through enduring marriages, brings economic blessings: a larger workforce, a broader market, and a wellspring of innovation—unlocking opportunities like jobs and collective prosperity.
