Mike Rwothomio

His Royal Majesty Ubimu Phillip Olarker Rauni III, King of the Alur Kingdom, has called on Alur people living outside the kingdom including those in Uganda’s Buganda and Bunyoro-Kitara regions as well as the diaspora in Europe and North America, to maintain strong ties with their ancestral homeland.

He stressed that this is essential to preserve cultural heritage, identity, and contribute to the kingdom’s economic development for future generations.

The message was delivered by Prime Minister (Jadipu) Prince Lawrence Opar Angala on behalf of the King during a meeting with a 30-member delegation from the Kwai Jalaure clan at Kingston Guest House in Yamo Trading Centre last week.

The clan, of Atyak Royal Ancestry, consists of descendants whose grandparents migrated to Kiboga District in Ssingo County, Buganda Kingdom, more than 70 years ago. The group was led by Clan Head Prince Onega Francis Matayo Alworunga.

The Jadipu, who welcomed the delegation on behalf of the Alur King, was accompanied by members of the Greater Atyak Royal Family, who are grandchildren of Rwoth Amula Acamfua, the Alur King from 1890 to 1941.

He took the delegation through the extensive history of the Alur Kingdom and its monarchy, tracing the succession from past monarchs to the current King, Ubimu Phillip Olarker Rauni III. He also highlighted the history of King Joba II, who died in 2000, and King Amula, who was the brother of Jalaure.

The delegation commended the Prime Minister for receiving them and providing an opportunity to learn and delve deeper into the history and genealogy of the Alur Kingdom.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Prince Tabu John Max highlighted challenges faced in “exile,” including land shortages due to growing family sizes and cultural disconnection from their roots.

He said many clan members are prepared to resettle in Alur land once their ancestral customary land in Papoga Parish, Zeu Sub-county, Zombo District, is recovered from trespassers, so they can contribute to kingdom development and revive chiefdom cultural activities.

“We are so happy that you have welcomed us and gave us a detailed history of our genealogy. We the descendants of Jalaure are so many. Only few of us have come,” Prince Tabu John said.

According to Prince John Max, their coming was prompted by social challenges facing the clan members and their children, including their daughters who were facing challenges in marriage, jobs, education and other misfortunes.

“All these compelled us to come here. We need blessing from our Kingdom from where we belong. We need blessing from our land called Alur,” he said.

The descendants of Jalaure committed to adding their efforts to development in the Alur Kingdom, saying they are willing to return to where they belong.

Prince Angala assured the group that their request for land repossession would be submitted to the King for approval after a thorough review of historical and contemporary factors, in consultation with relevant authorities and local stakeholders.

The Kwai Jalaure clan traces its lineage to Prince Jalaure Alworunga, son of Rwoth Alworunga, the 28th King (Ubimu) of Ker Alur who reigned from 1865 to 1890.

The Alur are a Nilotic ethnic group of the larger Luo family living mainly in northwestern Uganda’s Nebbi, Zombo, Pakwach and parts of Arua districts and northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, primarily Mahagi Territory in Ituri Province, north of Lake Albert.

Population estimates put roughly 800,000 Alur in Uganda and several million in the DRC, with a global diaspora.

The kingdom comprises about 64 chiefdoms (56 in Uganda and 8 in the DRC) under the supreme authority of the Ubimu, who holds the royal spear head (Leb tong). It is noted as the only traditional kingdom in Uganda that continued operating during the 1966 ban on monarchies.

The current 33rd Ubimu, Phillip Olarker Rauni III, was crowned in 2010. The kingdom promotes cultural preservation, unity across the Uganda-DRC border, economic development, and social initiatives such as ending child marriage.

In related remarks while meeting executive members of the Alur Professional Women Association Network (APWAN) at Gorilla Africa Guest House in Entebbe on June 11, King Rauni III emphasized unity among all Alur people as the foundation for sustainable growth and development.

He noted that while the Alur Kingdom has historically centered on culture and tradition, it is evolving into a vehicle for development rooted in positive cultural values.

Addressing a common misconception that the Alur “are small people and can be played with,” King Rauni III described them as quiet and polite yet strong in numbers, capacity, and the ability to shape their own development path.

Once united, he said, the Alur would be unstoppable. He urged Alur communities in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the global diaspora to support one another in line with the traditional principle of “Kura Matira.”

Alur Kingdom is a cross-border cultural institution uniting Alur chiefdoms in Uganda’s West Nile region and the DRC’s Ituri Province. Descended from Luo migrations associated with figures such as Nyipir, the kingdom maintains traditional structures under the Ubimu while focusing on modern priorities including economic empowerment, cultural preservation, and peacebuilding across the colonial border, and social protection particularly for women and girls.

Ubimu Rauni encouraged harnessing Alur heritage to create commercial products such as food, art, crafts, and creative services, noting that the Alur population itself provides a ready market.

He also called on Alur groups to promote shared messages on unity, education, girl-child and women’s empowerment, environmental protection, and investment through the slogan “BABA – Buy Alur, Build Alur.”

The call for Alur people to return and invest in their homeland was reiterated by Alur Kingdom Minister of Tourism, Hon. Juliet Umika Uromcan, during the Luo Legacy Dinner 2026.

The event, organized by the Luo Foundation Uganda, was held on August 8, 2026, at the Kampala Sheraton Hotel. It celebrated Luo heritage, culture and identity while promoting unity, community empowerment, networking and recognition of individuals contributing to Luo development.

Alur Kingdom Prime Minister (Jadipu) Prince Lawrence Opar Angala (left) poses in photo with Prince Onega Francis Matayo Alworunga, the  head of Kwai Jalaure Royal Clan of Alur Kingdom resident in Kiboga District, Ssingo County of Buganda Kingdom.

Alur Kingdom Prime Minister (Jadipu) Prince Lawrence Opar Angala (centre holding fly-whisk) poses for a group photo with Kwai Jalaure Clan members from Kiboga District after meeting with the delegation at Kingston Guest House in Yamo Trading Centre, Atyak Sub-County in Zombo District.

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at Zoomer Africa, your number one grassroot information hub for african news, trends, and updates.