Tongan theologian, educator, and former parliamentarian, Dr. Uiliami Fukofuka, who died recently aged 77 years, took leading roles in education at a young age and as a politician had a life-long interest in constitutional reform.

Dr Fukofuka's family said that Uiliami was born on 25 February 1948, in Tatakamotonga, one of the 13 children of Tevita Tai and Lu’isa Tu’itokaloto (Siufanga) Fukofuka. He died peacefully on 9 June 2025.

Uiliami was one of the first two students from the Hahake District to enter Tonga High School [2], and graduated as Dux of the top achieving school. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Auckland in 1969, a Diploma in Education from the University of London in 1979 and a Doctorate in Theology from Faith Evangelical Seminary.

He returned to live and work in Tonga. His roles at the Ministry of Education, included Deputy Principal of Tonga College, Principal of Tonga High School and CEO of the Ministry of Education.

In 2008 Dr Fukofuka was honoured by the Royal Palace as a Member of the Order of Queen Salote Tupou III [3], in recognition of his service to the community.

As a young man, Dr Fukofuka served as a Research Assistant to the historian Dr. Sione Lātūkefu where they worked on a seminal book, ‘The Tongan Constitution’. 

In the 1990s he pursued a political career and was elected as one of nine People's Representative to the Legislative Assembly of Tonga, representing the Tongatapu no. 3 seat.

He was an outspoken advocate [4] for democratic reform, co-founding Tonga’s Pro-Democracy Movement, his family said, “believing in both the enduring significance of the Monarchy and the need for a more representative and accountable parliament and government [5].”

His community service extended to multiple roles, including treasurer of the Tatakamotonga Town Committee and vice-chairman of the Tonga Evangelical Union, President of Secondary School Principal’s Association, Chairman of UNDP Staff Association in Fiji and two terms as President of the Tonga High School Ex-students Association [6]. 

Other roles over the years, included Officer-in-Charge of the Office for Disaster Relief and Construction, as a United Nations Volunteer Programme Specialist with the UNDP in Suva. He also ventured into business, managing Gateway Enterprises and Nippon Tonga Enterprises. Dr Fukofuka had a role in the establishment of Rugby League in Tonga. He was also an advocate for Tongan youth, serving as President of the Tonga National Youth Congress in 1990. 

Dr. Uiliami Fukofuka is survived by his wife, Salote Siale Afuhia Fukofuka, and their six children: Lu’isa Tu’itokaloto Tsang-Yum, Siosepa Mafile’o Tato, ‘Olivia Mateaki He Lotu Fulivai, Elsie Pakiamala Fukofuka, Tevita Tai Fukofuka, and Denzel Uiliami Siufanga.