By KT Reporter
Members of the Lugbara Cultural Institution have renewed their call to have their Chiefdom to be recognized by the central government. The group wants the government to recognize Anzelo Pati Alia as the fourth Paramount Agofe of Lugbara Kari.
They say the delay by the Ministry of of Gender to gazzette and therefore recognize their chiefdom among other traditional and cultural institutions denying them their portion of the national cake,
The institution, which comprises the areas of Maracha, Terego, Vurra, and Ayivu says it has fulfilled all the requirements for recognition as Chiefdom but it has waited for almost a year pending the decision of the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social development. The delay has been attributed to a petitioned by some tribal members from Ayivu.
The petition addressed to the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development accused their cultural leader, Yuma Manase Amuku—who has served as Agofe Elect since April 24, 2024, following the death of Jackson Avutia—of engaging in active politics.
The petition, which has yet to be withdrawn has stalled the formal recognition of Lugbara Kari as a fully-fledged cultural institution.
During a press briefing on Monday, the Prime Minister, Speaker, and Clerk to the Council of Lugbara Kari announced that cultural leaders from Maracha, Terego, and Vurra had unanimously elected His Highness Anzelo Alia Pati of Maracha as Agofe and thereby completing the leadership hierarchy required for gazettement of the Chiefdom.
Rev. Dr. Christopher Yikii, the Speaker of Lugbara Kari emphasized the importance of gazettement to enable the institution to access resources allocated to cultural entities.
Rt. Hon. Ismail Tuku, the Prime Minister of Lugbara Kari, noted that the cultural institution has existed with four chiefs (Agofe) since time immemorial and that official gazettement will strengthen its development and operations.
Jaffer Alekua, the Clerk to the Council of Lugbara Kari dismissed claims of division among sections of the Lugbara community based on former county boundaries, urging more public sensitization to foster unity.
In a related development, members of the Uganda Kings and Cultural Leaders Forum (UKCLF) have written to the President, urging the immediate gazettement of Anzelo Pati Alia as the fourth Paramount Agofe of Lugbara Kari.
In a letter dated July 31, 2025, Uganda Kings and Cultural Leaders Forum Secretary General George Atim wrote:
“The Kings and Cultural Leaders’ Forum strongly recommends the gazettement of His Highness Anzelo Pati Alia as the 4th Paramount Agofe of Lugbara Kari.”
Last month, the government released two new Land Cruisers and Double Cabin pickup trucks, along with UGX 60 million, to support the activities of gazetted cultural institutions. Lugbara Kari, however, missed out on this allocation due to its delayed gazettement.
-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
