Customary law and justice
Settling disputes over grazing, water, land and family matters according to xeer.
Office of the Ugaas
The Ugaas
The title has passed through three generations: Ugaas Cali Deer, Ugaas Caafi, and now Ugaas Fuaad.
The Caleemasaar — 7 July 2026
The Caleemasaar is the highest ceremony in Somali custom, in which leadership is conferred by placing green leaves upon the head of the new leader. It is recognition granted by the whole community, not a title claimed.
On 7 July 2026 the Bahgari community installed Ugaas Fuaad Ugaas Caafi Ugaas Cali Deer, continuing the leadership of his father Ugaas Caafi and his grandfather Ugaas Cali Deer.
The line of leadership
- Ugaas Cali Deer Grandfather — the first generation to hold the title.
- Ugaas Caafi Father — the second generation.
- Ugaas Fuaad The present Ugaas — installed 7 July 2026.
The ceremony on video
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XAFLADA CALEEMA SAARKA UGAAS FU,AAD UGAAS CAAFI UGAAS CALI MYM TV | MYM TV
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Hadal Jeedintii: Qaar kamida waxgaradkii iyo odayaashii dhaqanka ee kasoo qayb Galay Xafladii caleemo saarka Ugaas…
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Daawo- waa kuma ugaaska la caleemo saaray maanta ee sayid mahamed abdule xasan adeerka u yahay …. Ugaas Fuaad ugaas…
What the Ugaas does
The Ugaasnimo is a public duty, made up of four main responsibilities:
Representation
Representing the community to government, international agencies and other communities.
Convening
Calling together elders, religious scholars, women and young people when a major decision is to be made.
Development
Finding, coordinating and overseeing projects for the community.
How the Office is organised
The Office is not one person. It is a set of committees with defined responsibilities, so the work continues and does not rest on any single individual.
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The Ugaas
Overall leadership, customary law and representation of the community.
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Development Committee
Planning, budgeting and oversight of projects.
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Council of Elders
Customary law, dispute resolution and consultation.
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Religious Scholars
Religious guidance, counsel and mediation.
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Women's Committee
Maternal affairs, girls' education and the household economy.
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Youth Committee
Skills, employment and volunteer mobilisation.
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Diaspora Liaison
Relations abroad and coordination of contributions.
Working principles
Openness
Every amount received and every amount spent is recorded and published.
Fairness
No one of the four districts is favoured. Need decides.
Consultation
No project begins until the community it affects knows of it and agrees.
Delivery
An unkept promise is the heaviest debt. A little finished beats a great deal announced.