Yumah Manase Amuku, the third elected Agofe of Lugbara Kari, died at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy in education, public service and cultural leadership. Manase died at Arua Regional Referral Hospital at about 4:00 a.m. on Monday after suffering from hypertension, diabetes and respiratory complications, according to information provided by his family. He had reportedly been placed on oxygen before his death.
Born in 1947 in Angorobo village, Alivu Ward, in present-day Ayivu Division, Arua City, Manase also served as the chief of the Ayivu people. He spent much of his career in education and local government before returning to public service through cultural leadership.
Manase began his career as a Grade Three teacher in 1971. He later served as deputy headteacher and headteacher before leaving the teaching profession in 1982. He later held several positions in local government, including sub-county chief, district tax officer, assistant district treasurer and acting district urban officer in Pajulu Sub-county, Arua District.
Between 1995 and 2009, he served as a senior assistant secretary in Oluko, Nyadri and Ajia sub-counties. Manase later joined Makerere University Business School’s Arua branch as a lecturer, serving from 2010 to 2011.
Between 2013 and 2016, he also worked as a deputy lecturer at the Institute of Accounts and Commerce in Onduparaka. His academic qualifications included a degree in Social Work and Social Studies from Uganda Christian University, diplomas in law and local government administration, and certificates in adult literacy, teacher training and other fields.
He also undertook short courses in conflict resolution and management, political education, Christian leadership and adult literacy training.
Manase alsonserved on the management boards of Ragem Technical School, Awara College and Etori Secondary School, as well as Arua Nursery Teacher Training College. He also chaired the school management committees of Jiako and Onduparaka primary schools.
Those who knew him described him as a teacher, debater, trainer and communicator who valued sharing information and empowering his community.
Manase’s election as Agofe followed years of involvement in community leadership. In May 2023, he was elected chief of Ayivu.
Two months later, on July 13, he was elected the Agofe of Lugbara Kari, receiving 57 votes against two for his rival, Michael Agondua.
However, his elevation was followed by disagreements with a faction of officials associated with his predecessor, Jackson Avutia.
The dispute delayed his official coronation.On April 24, 2024, a council of elders meeting at Arua City Council Hall confirmed Manase as Agofe and handed him the cultural institution’s seal, according to the account provided by his associates. Despite the confirmation, he had not been officially coronated by the time of his death.
Elly Ejiku Emo, the Prime Minister of Lugbara Kari under Manase’s leadership, said his death was difficult to accept, particularly because the community had hoped he would lead an ambitious development agenda.
Irene Ajio, Manase’s second-born daughter and a nurse at Arua Regional Referral Hospital, described her father as hardworking, God-fearing and generous.
She said he was an all-round person who welcomed and supported people from different backgrounds. Manase’s death brings to an end a career that spanned teaching, local government administration, higher education and cultural leadership, at a time when questions surrounding the leadership and unity of the Lugbara Kari cultural institution remained unresolved-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
