Achilla Orru

King Achilla Rufino Orru Apaa-idomo (August 17, 1959 – February 4, 2013) was a Uganda-born blind musician whose primary instrument was the lukembé. His ethnic background was Karamojong.

Early life and education Orru was born in Karamoja, Uganda. and won a junior prize for his skill with this instrument. He studied international development at Dalhousie University in Halifax, graduating in 1995. While there he formed a band, Baana Afrique.

Career Orru moved to Toronto after graduation, and reformed his band with local musicians in 1995. He toured both with them and as a solo musician, using the stage name King Achilla Orru Apaa-Idomo. He released an album of lukembe music, Apaa-Idomo, in 1996.

In Toronto, Orru was also well known as a TTC subway musician, often playing at Bloor-Yonge subway station.

In 2003 Orru performed at the World Music Exposition in Germany.

Orru's 2004 album Dho-Mach (Sacred Gift) was nominated for the 2005 Juno Award for World Music Album of the Year. In 2008 he performed as a soloist with the Royal Dutch Wind Ensemble in Amsterdam.

Personal life Orru frequently visited Uganda, and in 2004 was married there. He and his wife Rose have three children. Before his first trip back he had his first born in Halifax Canada Benjamin then furthered his career. At the time of his death he was in the process of bringing his family to Canada.