Preparations underway for 2nd memorial of Chief Awich

The Payira clan in Laguti sub-county, Pader district is putting together final touches on the second memorial celebration of the late Rwot Awich, a respected cultural leader remembered for his role in uniting the clan during one of its most challenging years.

The event, which is scheduled to happen on October 30, 2025, is to bring together clan members, dignitaries and friends from across Uganda to honour the legacy he has left.

Samuel Akwany, the chairperson for the event, emphasized that people need to unite as one body if they want to see success in this celebration.

He also thanked the leadership of Rwot Acana II and all other cultural leaders for keeping the Acholi culture.

While emphasizing, he mentioned that this year they will have the Diocese of Kitgum District lead them as they support them in the preparations.

Let’s work together and mobilize resources to build Awich Agricultural Institutional College in Pader District, which will be a key learning area for the youths in Northern Uganda,” Akwany added.

Susan Ayremo advocates that the memorial is also to help ensure the younger generation remember his contribution.

‘‘The late Rwot was a unifying figure during difficult times and promoted education and peace among his people in Acholi. He is also remembered for his diplomacy during the Lord’s Resistance Army insurgency and his strong advocacy for culture,” Susan re-echoed.

Robert Okumu, the LC3 of Laguti sub-county, Pader district, welcomes people from all walks of life within and out of Uganda planning to attend this great celebration to turn up in big numbers and also support the event.

The event, expected to draw hundreds and thousands of people from Acholi sub-region and beyond borders, will feature Acholi culture like dances and food.

He says that the late Rwot Awich was not only a leader but a custodian of tradition, a voice of peace during conflict and a bridge between the modern world and ancient Payira wisdom.

He is also remembered for his diplomacy during the Lord’s Resistance Army insurgency, his strong advocacy for culture preservation and his efforts.

This event is scheduled to bring together cultural leaders, dignitaries from all walks of life and friends from across Uganda. This will blend Christian worship with traditional Acholi customs to honour the late leader’s legacy.

For the young generation, the memorial is a rare chance to connect with their heritage, saying if we forget our origin, we forget ourselves.

He emphasizes that security in this area is guaranteed and they are working hand in hand with the committee in charge of security during the function.

“I strongly argue that a statue of our late chief should be constructed and a memorial school be built where tourists come in to see, which is another way of generating income to our people,” he says.

“This is more than a memorial, it’s a cultural reunion,” says one of the elders of the Payira clan who lived under the leadership of Rwot Awich at the time of his rule.

His history

Chief Ibrahim Awich Lutangmoi ruled over Payira, one of the largest and most powerful chiefdoms in Acholi, from the 1880s until 1946.

Ibrahim Awich was the fourth child of Rwot Camo-Labwor. However, another Rwot who deserves equal remembrance is Rwot Awich, the chief of Payira chiefdom in Acholi land.

Acholi’s historical journey would be incomplete in the colonial era if it did not include Chief Awich, yet he remains a largely forgotten chief in the history of Acholi.

Before Awich, Payira was militarily the most powerful chiefdom. Awich’s father, Rwot Camoo-Wod Pa Lawino, had been successful in fighting against his neighbours who were feared, which birthed the famous historical Lamogi Rebellion.

Payira chiefdom can be traced in the present-day Pader district. However, Lamogi Hills, where the actual battles and rebellion between Payira and the British took place, are several miles westwards in Amuru district.

He became a Rwot in the 1880s after the death of his father, Rwot Camo. It was his frequent raids on his neighbours which brought him into conflict with the British.

Chief Awich is remembered in Uganda’s history primarily for his strong resistance to British colonial rule, particularly in Acholi sub-region.

He refused to endorse and sign any treaty of cooperation in Acholi land, whereas other Acholi chiefs had done so in 1892.

However, Rwot Awich Payira made it clear he would not submit to the British demand at the expense of his people.

He assisted Kabalega’s soldiers against the British, which made the British re-enforce him to expel the soldiers of Kabalega, but he refused.

He is also known for his refusal to cooperate with the British authorities, unlike other Acholi chiefs who signed the treaty with the British.

Awich refused to endorse any agreement that would compromise his authority or autonomy of his people.

He ascended to the throne following the brutal murder of his father by the Padibe chief Rwot Ogwok and his Arab allies in 1887, at this time the British had just arrived in Acholi land.

Chief Ibrahim Lutanyamio Awich arguably is the most influential and controversial chief during colonial rule in Northern Uganda in the 1890s.