Patiko Clan Chief Dead

Rwot Jeremiah Bongojane Mutu II, the head of Patiko Chiefdom in Gulu district is dead. 

Bongojane breathed his last at Life Link Hospital in Kampala this morning due to an unspecified illness.

But unconfirmed reports show that the 50-year-old Bongojane could have succumbed to prostate cancer, which he has been battling for some time. 

George Kidega, the Prime Minister Patiko Kal Chiefdom, says the cultural leader has been battling illness for some time.

"When we visited him last week, it was evident that he would not live for long despite him giving us assurance that he was feeling much better", he told URN on phone this afternoon.

According to Kidega, Bongojane will be remembered for his great love for education, family and the country. Bongojane is survived by a wife and three daughters. His only son passed on few years ago. 

Kidega says they have embarked on a series of activities to prepare for the burial of their culture leaders including the construction of a new hut where he will be buried at his Palace in Patiko Ajulu, in Patiko Sub County, some 30 Kilometers North of Gulu Town.

It was in Ajulu that British explorer Sir Samuel White Baker built the historical Fort Patiko, which he used to government South Sudan and Northern Uganda. 

Rwot Jeremiah Bongojane has been one of the 54 clan chiefs forming the council of chiefs in Acholi cultural institution locally known as Ker Kwaro Acholi. 

He was enthroned on June 14, 2011 following the death of his father Muttu Lagara, who reigned between 2000 and 2010. He was the 35th clan chief of the chiefdom whose formation dates back to the Luo migration in Egypt. 

Patiko Kal consists of Pagaya, Pugwenyi, Panyagira, Pacua, Pangang, Pakwelo, Pakwaca, Toro and Ayom clans. Ambrose Olaa, the Prime Minister of Ker Kwaro Acholi says the institution will issue detailed statement on the legacy of the clan chief in due course.