Last Updated on: 20th March 2023, 07:32 pm
Zombo – The construction of the long awaited Lango Cultural Palace (LCP) will start next month – TND News can exclusively report.
The LCP groundbreaking ceremony will take place next month – November in Lira – according to State Minister for Northern Uganda, Honourable Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny.
The Minister made this announcement on Saturday in Atiak sub-county (Atiak Primary school) Ora Constituency, Zombo district.
This was during the coronation to mark the 9th Anniversary of the Alur Kingdom’s Highness UBIMU PHILIP OLARKER RAUNI III.
According to the Minister, government has constructed the cultural palace for Alur Kingdom and will construct more 35 residences for the Kingdom ministers.
Acholi’s Paramount Chief, His Highness Rwot Onen Acana was present, among other cultural leaders. Lango cultural leaders are absent.
‘Lango controversy’
It’s important to note that Lango people have in recent years divided themselves into two groups – those backing Mzee Yosam Odur Ebii and Eng. Micheal Odongo Okune, respectively.
This split, however, is yet to be sorted out, especially by government as both groups say they are legal.
Speaking to our reporter on phone Saturday, one of the officials from the Office of the Prime Minister said, “The government will soon sort out the cultural woes in Lango.”
“Besides two leadership and immense fights, we are confident one will step down to pave way for this development to take place. This explains why government took long to fulfil its pledge to Lango,” he added.
In June this year, the then Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Pius Bigirimana told TND News that as far as government knows, Lango haven’t “rejected Mzee Odur”.
“We are aware, I am aware of the cultural fights between Mzee Odur Ebii and Eng. Micheal Odongo, but we have received no information that Odur has been rejected by his people,” Mr. Bigirimana said, then.
“If Lango is tired of Odur, let them follow procedures. As of now, he’s a gazzetted Paramount Chief,” he added.