Alur Kingdom Gears Up for Ubimu’s 19th Enthronement Anniversary

By Mike Rwothomio 

The Alur Kingdom has intensified mobilization for the 19th Enthronement Anniversary of His Royal Majesty Ubimu Phillip Olarker Rauni III, scheduled for 19th May 2026 at Kaal Atyak Palace in Zombo District, West Nile.

The annual commemoration, observed every 19th of May since the Ubimu’s ascension to the throne in 2006, remains the most important event in the Ker Alur calendar. 

It draws together Alur communities from Greater Nebbi (Pakwach, Nebbi, and Zombo districts), the north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (Mahagi and Djungu Territories in Ituri Province), the diaspora, and well-wishers.

Participants converge at the palace to showcase Alur culture, norms, and traditions, pay homage to the Ubimu, and receive spiritual blessings from the ancestors tracing back to the founder Nyipir (Gipir) of the 15th Century.

A recent Cultural enthronement Committee meeting, whose minutes detail intensive preparations, underscored the Kingdom’s commitment to a dignified and culturally rich celebration under the theme: “To Enhance Culture for Prosperity.”

 The committee, chaired by the Jadipu (Prime Minister), resolved to raise resources through broad contributions to ensure the event’s success.

The Guest of Honor is His Majesty Ubimu Philliph Rauni Ularker III, with the chief guest to be announced in the coming days. 

The Jadipu notes that this year’s anniversary continues “a tradition that reinforces Alur unity, peace, and heritage,” under the Kingdom’s vision of “A united, peaceful and harmonious people” and mission “To create cultural, economic, social, political opportunities and enabling environment for dignified life.”

Alur Kingdom, gazetted by the Government of Uganda as the traditional institution of the Nilotic Alur people, continues to play a vital role in cultural preservation while advocating for community development.

 The Kingdom, whose population runs in millions, comprises 56 chiefdoms in Uganda and 8 in DR Congo, with many living in the diaspora.

The 19th enthronement anniversary, a significant cultural milestone for the Alur people, marks the day Ubimu Ularker was enthroned as their leader. 

Last year, Assistant Commissioner of Gender and Culture, Ms Lucy Otto represented the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development Hon Betty Amongi Ongom Akena as Chief Guest at the event for which the Ministry made a financial contribution of 10 million Shillings towards the arrangements. 

She reaffirmed the government's appreciation for the complementary role traditional and cultural institutions play in peace-building, security, mobilisation of communities for implementation of socio-economic transformation programmes and, preservation and promotion of indigenous cultural heritage. 

A Kenyan Luo documentary team also graced the last year's pivotal event, in their efforts to preserve and document Alur traditions and culture.

The anniversary serves as a vital platform for cultural institutions like the Alur Kingdom to strengthen community bonds, preserve traditions, and promote unity. The celebration musters hundreds of subjects from across the Kingdom who come to honor their Ubimu with vibrant Alur cultural dances performed by cultural troupes, signaling the event’s deep cultural significance.

The Prime Minister of Alur Kingdom, Opar Lawrence Angala, always plays a central role as a key historian to provide rich Alur history and storytelling, ensuring their transmission to younger generations.

His Royal Majesty Ubimu Phillips Olarker Rauni III, King of the Alur, was culturally enthroned in 2006 and formally coronated on October 30, 2010, at the Lei cultural site in Nebbi District, with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as the chief guest.

 He was inaugurated at the Lei cultural site following the death of his grandfather, the late Ubimu Oyoma Jobi II, who passed away in 2000. 

Thousands of Alur people from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo attended the event.He celebrated 15 years on the throne last year, and the milestone anniversary was marked with grand celebrations on October 31, 2025.

 He is recognized as the 33rd king of the Alur people and serves as a respected cultural leader. His reign emphasizes development, peacebuilding, cultural preservation, and socio-economic empowerment within the Alur Kingdom.

 Although he was installed as king shortly after his grandfather’s passing, his formal enthronement was delayed. He completed his studies in Economics in the prestigious Loughborough University in the United Kingdom before returning to assume full leadership duties.