Continued wrangles between two factions of the Lugbara Cultural Institution are threatening to further delay the gazettement of Lugbara Kari as a recognised cultural institution. The dispute pits a group led by the elected Chief of Lugbara Kari, Yuma Amuku Manase, against another faction led by former Prime Minister Ismail Tuku and Maracha clan leader Anzelo Pati.
Manase is also the clan chief of Ayivu, having succeeded the late third Chief, His Highness Jackson Avutia, who died about two years ago. The rift between the two groups took a new turn in September last year after a group of people in Arua City reportedly petitioned the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, accusing Manase of supporting the Save Ayivu Initiative, a local organisation advocating for the creation of Ayivu District instead of its incorporation into Arua City.
According to Tuku, the dispute stalled plans to swear in Manase and proceed with the gazettement of Lugbara Kari. He said the group consequently considered fronting Anzelo Pati of Maracha as Lugbara Agofe designate to allow the gazettement process to proceed while Manase resolved the matter with the ministry. The move, however, triggered another dispute after Manase publicly announced the dismissal of Tuku as Prime Minister, Jaffer Alekua as Clerk to the Lugbara Council, Christopher Yiki as Speaker of the Lugbara Council and several other officials.
Manase subsequently appointed a new cabinet with which he continues to work. Tuku and his group rejected the dismissals, arguing that Manase has no authority to remove them because he has not been sworn in as Agofe and still has unresolved matters before the Ministry of Gender. The faction has continued to operate and correspond with the ministry, while the Manase group is also conducting its affairs and communicating with government independently.
Tuku said the rival activities have not only delayed the gazettement of Lugbara Kari but also affected the flow of government resources to the cultural institution.
Christopher Yiki, the Speaker of the Lugbara Parliament under the Tuku-led faction, said the dispute surrounding Manase should not hold back the other three Lugbara chiefdoms of Maracha, Terego and Vurra. He argued that the Ayivu issue was separate from the wider interests of Lugbara Kari.
However, Elly Ejiku Emo, the Prime Minister of Lugbara Kari under Manase, maintained that their group was legitimately elected to lead the cultural institution but was being frustrated by individuals pursuing personal interests.
Fadhil Lemmeriga, the Prime Minister of Aringa Kingdom, has appealed to the rival factions to unite and forgive one another to enable Lugbara Kari to present a common agenda to the government.
The two factions have continued to conduct business on behalf of the Lugbara people despite repeated calls from cultural and community leaders for them to resolve their differences and present a united leadership. The continued dispute has left the gazettement of Lugbara Kari uncertain, with the rival groups maintaining separate positions on who has the authority to lead the cultural institution and engage government on its behalf-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
