Ugaas Fuaad Office of the Ugaas
Donate Soomaali

Ugaas of the Bahgari — Ogaden community

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

  1. Ugaas Cali Deer Grandfather — the first generation to hold the title.
  2. Ugaas Caafi Father — the second generation.
  3. Ugaas Fuaad The present Ugaas — installed 7 July 2026.

What the Ugaas does

The Ugaasnimo is a public duty, made up of four main responsibilities:

Customary law and justice

Settling disputes over grazing, water, land and family matters according to xeer.

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.

  • The Ugaas

    Overall leadership, customary law and representation of the community.

  • Development Committee

    Planning, budgeting and oversight of projects.

  • Council of Elders

    Customary law, dispute resolution and consultation.

  • Religious Scholars

    Religious guidance, counsel and mediation.

  • Women's Committee

    Maternal affairs, girls' education and the household economy.

  • Youth Committee

    Skills, employment and volunteer mobilisation.

  • 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.