Agofe

Agofe of Lugbara
Coat of Arms of Lugbara
Incumbent
Vacant
since 26 October 2026
Details
StyleHis Highness
First monarchJalwere Jalusiga
Formation1922

The Agofe of Lugbara is the constitutional monarch and paramount chief of the Lugbara Kingdom, one of the 17 officially recognised traditional kingdoms in Uganda. The term means 'Pillar' or 'Paramount Chief' (Chief of chiefs) and was the title given to Jalusiga (an Alur chosen by the British). A king is also called opi in Lugbara though an opi is usually a chief or the clan leader of a Lugbara lineage. Around 1967, President Milton Obote abolished kingdoms, but then the 1995 Uganda Constitution reinstated cultural institutions and by 2000, the Lugbara Cultural Institution had evolved. In 2015, the Government of Uganda finally accepted this revised Agofe institution among the 17 recognised cultural institutions in Uganda. The Agofe's duty is to preserve Lugbara culture through literature and other assignments.

Paramount Chiefs

Jalwere Jalusiga (1896-1978) from Alur Tribe was appointed Paramount Chief over the whole of West Nile by British colonialists in 1922. He was called Agofe Obim.

Mariko Boroa from Terego Clan was elected by the Lugbara Association of Elders (Obim removed from title) after Uganda's 1962 Independence until President Milton Obote abolished cultural institutions in 1967.

Jason Avutia from Vurra Clan reigned after the 1986 NRM Liberation and restoration of cultural institutions until his death at 96 years old in January 2023.

His Highness Culu (Mr.) Jason Avutia, the 3rd Agofe

Although election of his replacement was planned for 2021, it did not happen until after his 2023 death. Avutia resided in (Mvara Parish of) Arua Town, the cultural headquarters, where he headed the Association of Arua District Elders for two decades. Many people knew him as the Chairman of LULA (Lugbara Literature Association) but he was also an Education Minister in his younger years.

Manase Yuma Amuku (Ayivu Chief) was elected the 4th Agofe of Lugbara Kari on 13 July 2023 but declared Agofe on 26 January 2024. He retained his election opponent Ismail Tuku as Epife (Prime Minister). Yuma's home is in Angorovu Cell, Pajulu Ward in Arua City. Prime Minister Tuku and members of the cabinet declared Yuma deposed in 2025 and declared Angelo Pati the new Agofe, a declaration which was rejected by Yuma as unconstitutional and illegitimate. He died om 26 October 20206.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Aluma, Clement (26 October 2026). "Rival Lugbara cultural chief Manaseh Yuma Amuku dies at 80". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 13 November 2026.
  2. ↑ The Uganda Gazette, Vol. CXVIII No. 29, Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation, 2025
  3. ↑ Maracha District Portal. "Cultural Institution"
  4. ↑ Uganda Radio Network (28 July 2015). "Government Directs Lugbara Kari to Dissolve Executive"
  5. ↑ New Vision (29 July 2014). "Lugbara Now Want a King"
  6. ↑ New Vision. "What Next After Lugbara Paramount Chief Election Ends In Stalemate?"
  7. ↑ East News (18 February 2024). "Lugbara Cultural Institution Gets New Paramount Chief"