By Sunday Amandi

Arua city

The leaders of the Lugbara cultural institution have called for patience among the Lugbara people, as they continue with the struggle to get a new agofe to head the institution.

Agofe is the paramount chief of the Lugbara people, and the position is very vital in the leadership of the institution. The position fell vacant, following the death of His Highness Jason Avutia III on January 23, 2023.

After this, elections were organised unsuccessfully on 13^th of July 2023 to fill the vacant position, and after this failure, the four clan chiefs were given mandate to identify an agofe within one week, but this given period also elapsed without any clear result.

But now, Moses Mandebo, the spokesperson for the cultural institution says, ground works are ongoing for the clan chiefs to fill the position, and they demand for time. “So far we are waiting for the chiefs to sit and elect the agofe, we had another meeting two weeks ago where they still asked for time to do consultation among themselves,” Mandebo said.

However, Jaffar Alekua, the clerk to council in Lugbara cultural institution says, though the chiefs are still making consultations, the office of the Agofe is functional.
“The clan chiefs are still making further consultations, there is still acting agofe in place, before the agofe died, he delegated his office and administration to the prime minister,” said Alekua.

The Lugbara Cultural Kari brings together different clans of the Lugbara in Arua, Terego, and Maracha districts including Arua City.

COVER PHOTO: Manase Yuma (standing) contested with Ismail Tuku on his right in the fast election By Sunday Amandi