Alur Kingdom resolves Palei Clan’s 20-Year Rift in Historic Reconciliation

By Mike Rwothomio

The revered Kingdom of Alur, headed by His Majesty Ubimu Phillip Rauni Olarker III, has successfully resolved a 20-year rift among the 13 sub-clans of Palei. The kingdom's leadership described the historic reconciliation as a powerful demonstration of cultural unity and ancestral continuity.

This after a delegation of thirteen Palei subclan heads from across the Alur Kingdom gathered at Kaal Atyak Winam on Saturday, 25 July 2026, to formally request the mandatory tail of a bull from Ubimu Phillip Olarker Rauni III, the Leb Tong (Spear Tip) of Nyipir.

The request seeks his blessing to enable him to freely cross the River Nile without cultural consequences, marking the resolution of a two-decade stalemate that had delayed a sacred tradition dating back 14 centuries.

The thirteen subclans that form the main Palei Clan descendants of OLEI, brother to Queen Nyilak, mother of Nyipir, the founder of the Alur tribe, include Jup’Ogoro, Jup’Uyenyiri, Jup’Omolo, Jup’Angule, Jup’Acandi, Jup’Ulony, Jup’Anyadha, Jupa Pedhi, Jupa Giu, Jupa Sagara, Jupa Lakwer, Jup’Aranja and Yugu.

According to the Kingdom, These sub clans, located across the greater Nebbi region in Uganda and Mahagi District in Ituri Province, northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, reaffirmed their cultural allegiance to Rwoth Ubimu of Ker Alur.

The gathering followed successful mediation brokered by Jadipu Prince Lawrence Opar Angala, supported by Rwoth Joseph Wanok Jalngidhu of Aringu chiefdom, Rwoth Opoti Okaba Jalacida of Ukuru Pamach, Rwoth Chombe Santino Jalsinda of Okayu chiefdom, Jadipu Opio Jalaure of Alengo-Lari chiefdom, together with Kaal Atyak Elders and Royal councillors.

The mediation resolved a long-standing dispute between two elders of the Palei Jup’Ogoro clan Mr. Anthony Obima Ngomlokuju and his uncle Mr. Joseph Opoka, over who should receive the Royal Bull on behalf of the entire Palei Clan.

The two protagonists forgave each other and underwent the Alur ritual of reconciliation known as “Yecu Ayiza.” They then shared a meal prepared at Kaal Atyak for the first time in over 20 years, thereby renewing their blood relationship as Palei Kwai Ogoro.

Prince Lawrence Opar Angala, the Alur Kingdom Prime Minister said, this act of unity ended the 20-year stalemate that began after the same elders performed the ritual of “Thumu dhu Nam” for Ubimu Phillip Olarker Rauni III, the 19th Ubimu in the Royal lineage of Nyipir, at Wanglei in 2006.

Opar added that that earlier delay had prevented Kaal Atyak Winam from delivering the bull in accordance with tradition.

With the conflict resolved, it was unanimously agreed that, in keeping with historical tradition, Kaal Atyak Winam shall hand over the bull and a he-goat jointly to Mr. Anthony Obima Ngomlokuju (son of Luka Katumba Ogoro), Joseph Opoka (son of Mateo Ongii Ogoro) and Oweka Terensio (son of Giwegi Ogoro). The handover will take place in the presence of all Palei subclan heads during a ceremony at Kaal Atyak Winam.

Jadipu Prince Lawrence Opar Angala assured the Palei Clan delegation that Kaal Atyak Winam “stands ready to fulfil its commitment by providing the bull and he-goat as soon as possible now that the responsible Jup’Ogoro clansmen have settled their differences”.

He further reaffirmed that Ubimu Olarker Rauni III fully understands and appreciates the cultural implications and historical importance of this traditional ritual performed by the Palei Clan at the Wanglei site on the River Nile in Puvungu chiefdom.

The rite connects Ker Alur with its historical Luo origins, of which Nyipir, whom the Ubimu now represents as Royal Leb Tong (Spear Tip), is the founder of the Alur tribe.

The Palei Clan are descendants of Olei, who was the father of Cwa. Cwa was the father of Nyilak. Nyilak was the mother of Gipir, Labongo and Thiful, whom she had with her husband, Olum. Nyilak’s brothers were Mitu, Dere, Nyonga, Nyagan and others.

Their critical role in managing this cultural ritual underscores the enduring bonds that link Alur communities across national borders in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo under the spiritual and cultural authority of the Ubimu.

This latest development completes a circle begun in May 2006, when HRM Phillip Olarker Rauni III was enthroned as the 19th Ubimu of Ker Alur together with Prince Lawrence Opar Angala Jalumvor as Jadipu.

After a rigorous three-day cultural mentorship in exclusive confinement called “Vutu i Kuvugu,” the spitting of the milk rite known as “Ngulu Caak,” and the receiving of blessings at the Royal Shrines in Kaal Atyak Palace, the Royal party travelled to Puvungu chiefdom in Pakwach District.

There the Palei Clan, led by Mr. Anthony Obima Ngomlokuju, Joseph Opoka and Oweka Terensio of the Jup’Ogoro subclan, performed the mandatory Traditional ritual of “Thumu dhu Nam” at Wanglei, granting the Ubimu freedom to cross the River Nile without cultural hindrance and thereby completing the Ker Alur Ubimuship succession process.

Prime Minister Opar Angala said the reunification after twenty years not only restores the proper order of ancestral rites but also strengthens the cultural fabric of the Alur Kingdom, affirming shared descent, mutual forgiveness and collective responsibility to the legacy of Nyipir.

According to Jadipu Opar, the development marks a significant step in the ongoing renaissance of the Alur Kingdom under the leadership of Ubimu Phillip Rauni Olarker III.

This step is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to formalize its structures and enhance cultural preservation, ensuring that Alur customs, oral history, and royal lineages are accurately documented and preserved for future generations.

Resolved issues in recent days

This follows months after the Alur Kingdom successfully resolved a prolonged succession dispute in Abira Chiefdom through a landmark intervention rooted in Alur custom and tradition.

Similarly Alur Kingdom recently also resolved the leadership at Kaal Omua Jupa Kago chiefdom

Additionally, the long-running leadership wrangle in Kaal Arikpa has been resolved after Crown Prince Ngabipara Albert of the Jupa Avur Royal Clan in Zulome Parish, Athuma Sub-County, and Zombo District, early last week delivered a bull to Ubimu/Kaal Atyak Winam in accordance with royal tradition.

 “It will also foster stronger community unity through greater cohesion among clans, reducing fragmentation and strengthening collective identity” Jadipu Opar said.

The Alur Kingdom, comprising 56 chiefdoms in Uganda and eight in the Democratic Republic of Congo, continues to utilize traditional alternative dispute resolution to address land matters and internal wrangles, placing elders at the center of truth-telling to prevent conflict.

Alur King, His Majesty Ubimu Phillip Rauni Olarker III, accompanied by Jadipu Prince Lawrence Opar Angala, undergoes a cultural enthronement rite at Kal Atyak Winam on May 22, 2006, shortly after emerging from a three-day traditional mentorship confinement (Kuvugu), before proceeding to Pubungu Wang Lei in Pakwach District.

Jadipu Prince Lawrence Opar Angala(centre holding fly-whisk) in a group photo with Palei Jup'Ogoru elders, Chiefs, royal elders and councillors after concluding the reconciliation meeting supported by the 13 Palei subclan heads in Kaal Atyak Winam on Saturday 25th July 2026.

Jadipu Prince Lawrence Opar Angala (seated centre) sharing traditional meal with Mr Anthony Obima Ngomlokuju (on Jadipu's left) and Mr Joseph Opoka ( onJadipu's right) after successful mediation of the longstanding personal dispute that prevented the conclusion of an important Cultural ritual regarding Thumu Wanglei since 2006.

The bull's tail

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