Initially in Kumam culture, being a ‘big man’ was earned from inheritance. For example, when the father died, it was the first born male child who inherited the cattle riches; owned all of the land that was his father’s. He took over the position of the late father and automatically he became a ‘big man’ at household level.

At clan level, however, they used to look at the family linage; ability to settle domestic issues; the amount of wealth in terms of animals; number of wives; the number of children (they were seen as security); and the courage someone had to speak and to face battle that may arise between different clans.This is not the case today.

Today, to be recognized as a ‘big man’, you must have a well established home; and a success story of children who have achieved in education, of whom some are employed. For the case of a middle age person, they look at how hard working someone is; their ability to influence and share what they have with others; a certain level of education; and owning more than or what others do not have – like investments, cars, among others.

Robert Oluka, a beneficiary of our CPAR Uganda programme, “Mentoring Young Adults into Innovators against Poverty” shared these insights as part of an innovator’s conversation ignited by the blog post: “To be a ‘Big Man’ in Teso is earned not inherited” on the “The Humanist View” blog of our Managing Director, Norah Owaraga’s bloggers website.

In both the traditional Kuman qualifications and the modern ones, Rorbert Oluka is valuable member of is ancestral community. For example, during Covid-19 induced lock downs he became a significant life saver of his less advantaged village mates. Using his meager savings, he made micro loans to struggling households that enabled them to continue their livelihoods – farming and vending.

Even though, Covid-19 has largely been defeated and we are back to ‘normal’ the situation for many in the rural areas of Uganda including Ochelakur Village remains dire. Many more of Oluka’s village mates less advantaged need financial access to micro loans in order to earn and make a living. It is against this background that CPAR Uganda is fundraising in order to help Oluka to establish a community loan fund.

As of today, 16th June 2023, we have raised US$ 158 (Ug. Shs. 632,000) of the US$ 1,000 (Ug. Shs. 4,000,000) for the community loan fund start up capital. Please consider making a donation, even as little as US$ 10 (about Ug. Shs. 40,000). Every little bit counts!

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