The Lugbara community is mourning the death of their cultural leader, His Highness Yumah Amuku Manase, who died at Arua Regional Referral Hospital early Monday morning after battling illness. Manase, who served as the fourth Lugbara Agofe and chief of the Ayivu people, was pronounced dead at about 4:00 am, according to cultural leaders and family sources. He was due to celebrate his 80th birthday next month, having marked his 79th birthday last year.
Ayivu clan elders and family members said Manase had been battling hypertension and diabetes before developing respiratory complications that prompted his admission to Arua Regional Referral Hospital on Friday. He was reportedly placed on oxygen support before his death.
Elly Ejiku Emo, the Prime Minister of Lugbara Kari under the Lugbara Agofe institution, confirmed Manase’s death and said preparations for the burial had begun. Emo said the body had been transferred to Adumi Health Centre IV in Ayivu Division, Arua City, as cultural leaders and family members started holding preparatory meetings.He described Manase as a leader who cared deeply about the Lugbara people and wanted to strengthen the cultural institution to a level comparable to kingdoms and cultural institutions such as Buganda, Bunyoro, Tooro, Bamasaba and Alur.
Fadhil Lemmeriga, the Prime Minister of the Aringa Kingdom, who joined the bereaved family and Lugbara Kari elders in the burial preparations, described Manase as a man of peace and development whose legacy should be preserved. Lemmeriga also appealed for unity between the rival groups within Lugbara Kari during the period of mourning and urged all sides to ensure peaceful burial preparations.
Manase became the fourth Lugbara Agofe after the death of his predecessor, His Highness Jackson Avutia, about two years ago. However, his leadership was marked by internal disputes involving a faction led by Ismail Tuku, the former Prime Minister; Christopher Yiki, the Speaker; Jaffar Alekua, the Clerk to Council; Professor Willy Ngaka; and Anzelo Pati, the Maracha clan leader.
The dispute took another turn recently when Pati was installed as Agofe-designate, despite a ruling by the Chief Magistrate’s Court stopping the installation function a week earlier. The divisions deepened in September last year after a group identifying itself as concerned residents of Arua City reportedly petitioned the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, accusing Manase of supporting the Save Ayivu Initiative.
The local organisation has been advocating for the creation of Ayivu District rather than the area remaining part of Arua City. Manase’s death now comes at a time when the Lugbara cultural institution is grappling with divisions over its leadership and direction. Details of his burial programme and the number of children and widows he leaves behind had not been established by the time of publication-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
