It is bounded on the south by Arondizuogu, Umualaoma and Akokwa in Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State on the north, and northwest by Achina and Enugu Umuonyia respectively , in the west by Uga and Amesi, and in the east by Umuomaku, Umunze and Agho-Mmili River.
It is about 8.5 kilometers from Uga at the Junction between Awka-Orlu-Okigwe-Onitsha roads. The town is located on a table land at a height of about 180 meters above sea level, which shelves down a valley eastwards where Umuomaku and Umunze are situated.
The town has an estimated land area of 48.6 square kilometres with an estimated population of 310,000 making her one of the most thickly populated communities in Aguata Local Government Area.
Umuchu is made up of three major traditional village-groups (section): namely, Ihitenato, Amanasaa and Okpu-na-Achalla. Each of these village-groups (sections) is again made up of villages and each village traces its origin to its own ancestral root. The Ihitanato is made up of Ugwuakwu, Umugama and Ozara-Akukwa and are settled on the western and north western parts of the town. The Amanasaa is made up of Ogu, Osete Umuilo, Umubogu, Umuojogwo, Umuojum, and Amihe villages; and they are found on the eastern and northern fringes of the town. The third village-group Okpu-na-Achalla with the largest, and of cause, the richest land area, is made up of Ibughubu and Achalla and is located on the southern part of the town.
At the advent of the British Colonial administration, seven Warrant Chiefs were altogether appointed from the various villages. These were Chief Dimazoro Nsofor for Ugwuakwu, Chief Umeoduagu Anyida for Umugama, Chief Okwareke Okwarogo for Akukwa, Chief Ezenwata Ezeanyim for Imenano (i.e Ogwugwu), Ogu and Osete, Chief Unozo Nwekete for Amihe, Chief Mbachu Adowu for Ibughubu, Chief Muotolo Mbelu for Achalla. Others like Ogbogu Ezeanyanaso of Osete and Ikevu of Ibughubu were then recognised as headmen, but not warrant chiefs.
Umuchu is thus, a community with a local administration system that is made up of the Igwe-in-council and the Umuchu Representative Assembly (URA) led by the Town President, all of whom are responsible for the internal affairs of the community.
The community’s quest for a paramount and political Chief gave rise to the installation of Mr. I.O Ofobuike MFR, as the first Paramount Igwe of Umuchu on March 11, 1967, with the title of Ezeora 1 of Umuchu. Chief W.I.Ojiakor became the Traditional Prime Minister. At the passing on of Late Igwe I.O.Ofobuike MFR, and after his last Ofala, the Umuchu Community, on May 2003 unanimously crowned Chief Godson O Ezechukwu KSJ, JP, the Second Paramount Igwe Umuchu with the title name: Okwuloha 1 Umuchu.
Igwe Godson Ezechukwu, traditional ruler of Umuchu
By Leo Nnoli
Source : U.C.A.S U.C.A.S ( union for sons and daughters of Umuchu living in the United Kingdom )
