'''Agofe''' is the noble title for the chief cultural leader among all the [[Lugbara people]] or King of Lado Kingdom<ref>[http://www.rastafarispeaks.com/cgi-bin/forum/config.pl?md=read;id=110938 ''Rastafari Speaks''. "Re: South Sudan Carved Out To Hide Lado Kingdom"]</ref> which covers the regions of West Nile, Ituri, [[Torit]], Uele and Yei. The term means 'Pillar' or 'Paramount Chief' (Chief of chiefs) and was the title given to Jalusiga (an [[Alur people|Alur]] chosen by the British). A king is also called ''opi'' in Lugbara though an opi is usually a chief or the clan leader of a Lugbara lineage.<ref>[https://www.maracha.go.ug/district/cultural-institution ''Maracha District Portal''. "Cultural Institution"]</ref> Around 1967, President [[Milton Obote]] abolished kingdoms, but then the 1995 Uganda Constitution reinstated cultural institutions and by 2000, the Lugbara Cultural Institution had evolved. In 2015, the [[Government of Uganda]] finally accepted this revised Agofe institution among the 17 recognised cultural institutions in Uganda.<ref>[https://ugandaradionetwork.net/story/government-directs-lugbara-kari-to-dissolve-its-executive-committee-for-fresh-appointments-?districtId=558 ''Uganda Radio Network'' (28 July 2015). "Government Directs Lugbara Kari to Dissolve Executive"]</ref> The Agofe's duty is to preserve Lugbara culture through literature and other assignments.
==Paramount Chiefs== '''Jalwere Jalusiga''' (1896-1978) from Alur Tribe was appointed Paramount Chief over the whole of West Nile by British colonialists in 1922. He was called ''Agofe Obim''.<ref>[https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1305586/lugbara-king ''New Vision'' (29 July 2014). "Lugbara Now Want a King"]</ref>
'''Mariko Boroa''' from Terego Clan was elected by the Lugbara Association of Elders (Obim removed from title) after Uganda's 1962 Independence until President Milton Obote abolished cultural institutions in 1967.
'''Jason Avutia''' from Vurra Clan reigned after the 1986 NRM Liberation and restoration of cultural institutions until his death at 96 years old in January 2023. [[File:Agofe.jpg|thumb|His Highness Culu (Mr.) Jason Avutia, the 3rd Agofe]] Although election of his replacement was planned for 2021, it did not happen until after his 2023 death.<ref>[https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/what-next-after-lugbara-paramount-chief-elect-NV_165024 ''New Vision''. "What Next After Lugbara Paramount Chief Election Ends In Stalemate?"]</ref> Avutia resided in (Mvara Parish of) [[Arua]] Town, the cultural headquarters, where he headed the Association of [[Arua District]] Elders for two decades. Many people knew him as the Chairman of LULA (Lugbara Literature Association) but he was also an Education Minister in his younger years.
'''Manase Yuma Amuku''' (Ayivu Chief) was elected the 4th Agofe of Lugbara Kari on 13 July 2023 but declared Agofe on 26 January 2024.<ref>[https://eastnews.co.ug/2024/02/18/lugbara-cultural-institution-gets-new-paramount-chief/ ''East News'' (18 February 2024). "Lugbara Cultural Institution Gets New Paramount Chief"]</ref> He retained his election opponent Ismail Tuku as ''Epife'' (Prime Minister). Yuma's home is in Angorovu Cell, Pajulu Ward in Arua City.
==See also== * [[Lugbara language]] * [[Lugbara Kari]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
[[Category:Lugbara]] [[Category:Culture of Uganda]]