Lugbara Leaders Give Ayivu 96-Hour Ultimatum over Gazettement, Warn Against Cultural Division
The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Ejiku Elly Emo, speaking to the press on behalf of the cultural leaders, after returning from Fort Portal. Photo by Andrew Cohen Amvesi
The rival Lugbara Kari faction led by Agofe Yuma Amuku Manasseh and Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Ejiku Elly Emo has called for an end to political disputes that they say are weakening the unity and cultural identity of the Lugbara people.
The cultural leaders say the continued disagreements within the Lugbara cultural institution have created two rival factions and deepened divisions, particularly over the position of Ayivu among the four major areas of the institution; Ayivu, Maracha, Terego and Vurra.
The leaders made the remarks on Thursday after returning from Fort Portal, where they joined other cultural leaders and mourners for the final send-off of Tooro King Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
They said their experience in Tooro demonstrated the importance of unity, solidarity and collective cultural identity in advancing the interests of a community.
The leaders warned that continued internal wrangling could undermine the Lugbara cultural institution and prevent it from attracting meaningful support for community development.
They pointed to established cultural institutions such as Tooro, Buganda and Busoga, saying their unity has enabled them to pursue programmes including education support, scholarships, socio-economic initiatives and other development partnerships.
“My people, what I saw there was fantastic. Culture can contribute a lot in development. The way the Batoro people were getting things from Omukama, the way that it was put on the media was wonderful. He had been giving them loans. There were a number of NGOs who were supporting people, and he was also giving out scholarships to students.” Rt. Hon. Elly recalled.
“He was giving money to businessmen, and he introduced agricultural trainings. All this was to make the people of Toro better people. And really, people mourn for him.” He said.
According to Elly, the Lugbara community risks missing similar opportunities if internal disagreements continue to weaken the institution.
“Please my people, culture models us. Culture gives us a way of preparing ourselves for life. Culture guides us to stay well. I want to say, my people in Lugbara, the loss of our culture is the problem we are facing now. If we don’t go back to our culture and handle some of the issues, we are finished.” Elly stressed.
The dispute comes amid a long-running process to have Lugbara Kari formally gazetted by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
In August, Ayivu Division Council approved a motion supporting the gazettement of Lugbara Kari, after councils in Terego, Maracha and Vurra had already approved the process. The Ayivu decision was described as a step towards formal recognition of the cultural institution.
However, the rival faction is now demanding that Ayivu Division provide them with the gazettement documents within 96 hours.
“I have just realized our challenge as Lugbara now is, we are being let down by politicians and religious leaders. The politicians support wrong things, and these are now people who are spoiling the community around. We are giving 96 hours for the division to give us the gazettement letter, which was already okayed by council some time ago. It is overdue.”
The Prime Minister said failure to produce the documents within the given period will prompt them to organize a peaceful walk to the Ayivu Division headquarters to demand clarification over the status of the gazettement process.
“If the time we have given elapses, we are going to organize and move to the division and demand for the gazzettement letter culturally.”
They insist that their demand is intended to push for recognition and unity within the Lugbara cultural institution rather than promote confrontation.
The disagreement is not new. Agofe Yuma Manase Amuku was selected by chiefs from Maracha, Terego, Ayivu and Vurra in April 2024, but his formal enthronement has remained unresolved amid political disputes in Ayivu.
The leaders are now calling on Lugbara elders, clan leaders, political leaders and ordinary members of the community to put aside political differences and focus on rebuilding a united cultural institution.
They say the experience of other cultural institutions, including the solidarity witnessed during the send-off of King Oyo, should serve as a lesson for the Lugbara community to resolve its differences and protect its cultural heritage.