• By Stefanus Nashama

The Uukwambi Royal Family has renewed its demand for the restoration of its historical kingship and the dissolution of the current Uukwambi Traditional Authority (UTA), escalating a longstanding dispute rooted in colonial history and post-independence traditional leadership structures.

This was revealed by the Uukwambi Royal Council on Wednesday. The royal family argues that the UTA, established before Namibia’s independence, was formed without their inclusion, breaking away from the royal lineage that once governed the Uukwambi kingdom. 

The last recognised king, Iipumbu ya Tshilongo, was exiled after colonial forces bombed his palace in 1932, effectively ending the monarchy. The dispute came to a head in August 2024, when the royal family planned a commemoration at Okashana ka Abed Kandongo to honour former kings and established August 15 as an annual remembrance day. However, the UTA, led by Chief Herman Iipumbu, opposed the event, claiming jurisdiction over such ceremonies. 

At the time, the Windhoek High Court sided with the UTA, granting an interdict and ordering the royal family to cover legal costs.
The royal family maintains that the event was a private family gathering, not an attempt to establish an alternative traditional authority.  “It was not going to be a traditional ceremony but a royal family affair,” stated Anna Niita Festus, chairperson of the Uukwambi Royal Council. 

They also argue that the UTA’s legal powers do not extend to private events and insist their cultural and historical rights must be recognised. Despite the court ruling, tensions have persisted.  Later in August 2024, royal family members attempted to hold a press conference in Oshakati to announce the formation of a committee to select a new chief from the royal lineage. 

Police shut down the gathering, citing the court order, a move the family claims was a misinterpretation, as the order specifically pertained to the August commemoration. Drawing comparisons to the Uukwanyama kingdom, which regained its kingship after independence under similar circumstances, the royal family insists their request is long overdue. 

“The restoration of the Uukwambi kingship is not only about tradition, but justice and historical redress,” they claim.
Reportedly, the UTA maintains, its leadership is legally recognised under the Traditional Authorities Act, warning that the royal family’s efforts risk dividing the community and undermining peace.

As of now, no resolution has been reached and the matter remains a point of legal and cultural contention in northern Namibia.
Sources within the Uukwambi community have indicated hat the kingdom should be led by a member of the royal family, similar to other traditional kingdoms. “Many kingdoms lost their kingships during colonial times, but after independence, royal families reclaimed their rightful leadership. It is not right for Uukwambi to remain without a king from the royal lineage,” said a community insider.

They further urged the government to intervene before the situation escalates further. Commenting on the matter, a member of the Uukwambi royal family said the people of Uukwambi want the leadership restored to the royal bloodline.

“Yes, that is what is happening now, the Aakwambi want to reclaim their kingship, but they do not have the power to do so themselves. That is why the royal family is stepping in. At the same time, the royal family is also asserting its rightful claim to the kingship,” the member said.

They added that the current traditional leader is not a direct descendant of the royal family, although his father is the one born by King Iipumbu ya Tshilongo. “He is not the rightful heir. When King Iipumbu ya Tshilongo was exiled, the leadership was taken over by chiefs, including Herman’s father. That is how it came to be.” 

In Uukwambi tradition, like in all communities in Owambo, royal kinship is matrilineal.