Traditional authority governing the Uukwambi people in Namibia's Ovawambo region, hosts the Omagongo Cultural Festival and manages land issues including sand mining rehabilitation.
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May 2026
The Namibian
Uukwambi Traditional Authorityconducted sand mining withan environmental clearance certificate from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism
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“The authority has been conducting sand mining at Onatshiku village with an environmental clearance certificate (ECC) from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.”
Uukwambi Traditional Authoritywill hostthe Omagongo Festival 2026 scheduled for 23 May 2026
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“Witbooi revealed that the Omagongo Festival will be hosted by the Uukwambi Traditional Authority under the able leadership of Tatekulu Omukwaniilwa Herman Iipumbu at Onamega.”
Uukwambi Traditional Authoritychosen to hostthis year's omagongo festival
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“The two traditional authorities chosen to separately host this year's festival — Uukwambi and Uukwaluudhi — are already hard at work to ensure the success of the prestigious cultural event.”
Uukwambi Traditional Authoritysaid it would rehabilitateall sand-mined borrow pits it had permitted in its jurisdiction
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“This week, the Uukwambi Traditional Authority said it would rehabilitate all sand-mined borrow pits that it had permitted to be sand-mined in its area of jurisdiction.”
Sand mining at Onatshiku has uprooted palm trees and created a dangerous pit that poses risks to people and livestock. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism advised the Uukwambi Traditional Authority not to renew their environmental clearance certificate due to massive environmental damage, and rehabilitation has not yet begun despite promises last year.
Why it matters
Sand mining at Onatshiku continues to damage ecosystems and pose hazards despite environmental ministry warnings and promises of rehabilitation last year.
Sand mining at Onatshiku has uprooted palm trees and created a dangerous pit that poses risks to people and livestock. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism advised the Uukwambi Traditional Authority not to renew their environmental clearance certificate due to massive environmental damage, and rehabilitation has not yet begun despite promises last year.
Phil ya Nangoloh, founder of NamRights Incorporated, has called for an investigation into alleged administrative irregularities and governance failures at the Uukwambi Traditional Authority, arguing they undermine administrative justice and constitutional rights and may create conditions for corruption.
The Omagongo Cultural Festival, themed "Roots of Our Unity, Seeds for Our Future," will be held on 23 May at the traditional homestead of Chief Herman Iipumbu in the Omusati Region. The festival celebrates marula wine and culture, and has been held annually since 2001, rotating among eight Ovawambo traditional authorities.
Vice President Lucia Witbooi has praised the upcoming Omagongo Festival, scheduled for 23 May 2026 at Onamega, as a celebration of Namibian culture, community, and hospitality that extends beyond the traditional fermented beverage itself. The festival will be hosted by the Uukwambi Traditional Authority, and Witbooi emphasized that the government remains committed to supporting cultural preservation initiatives.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare praised government investments in rural electrification, water supply, roads and health facilities in Oshana region during the 36th Independence Day celebrations, and stressed that capital projects must benefit local companies and support local economic empowerment.
The omagongo (marula wine) season begins in early February, culminating in the annual Omagongo Cultural Festival in May, hosted on rotation by eight Ovawambo traditional authorities. UNESCO recognized the festival in 2015 as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The Oshakati High Court has dismissed a defamation application brought by Uukwambi Traditional Authority chief Herman Ndilimani Iipumbu against activist Tangy Mike Tshilongo, with costs. The case stemmed from a long-running public dispute over Iipumbu's legitimacy as chief, with Tshilongo questioning whether he comes from the rightful royal lineage of the Uukwambi people.
Several Namibian traditional leaders, including chiefs and headmen, are governing their rural communities while residing in Windhoek, contrary to the Traditional Authorities Act No. 25 of 2000, which requires them to live within their communal areas. They justify this practice by citing the effectiveness of deputies and local committees, though legal scholars note such violations may warrant removal from office.
The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has strongly condemned the rise in illegal sand and gravel mining without required environmental clearance certificates, warning that the practice causes land degradation, riverbank erosion, and threatens water and food security. The ministry says development must balance growth with environmental protection and will undertake regional stakeholder engagements to strengthen enforcement of the Environmental Management Act.
The Uukwambi Traditional Authority has started rehabilitating sand-mined borrow pits in its jurisdiction, including at Onatshiku village in Oshana region, after residents questioned the delay. The authority must submit detailed rehabilitation plans to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism for approval, and is responsible for funding the work, which operators can carry out using their equipment.
A 25-year-old Namibian Defence Force member appeared in Ondangwa Magistrate's Court after allegedly murdering his 41-year-old friend, mutilating the body, and removing remains to his homestead. Police say the suspect had registered the deceased on a funeral cover and intended to claim the money.