Lango – The rival ‘paramount chief’ of Lango [Won Nyaci], Eng. Dr. M. M Odongo Okune had a rough time on Friday.
Mr Odongo who was attending the burial of Charles Ekora, a brother to Dokolo district RDC, Mr Lawrence Egole – introduced himself as a “paramount chief of Lango”.
Soon, he was booed by mourners – even when Mr George Ojwang Opota – the Omolo-acol clan chief told mourners to calm down.
“Do not involve yourselves in things that doesn’t concern you,” Ojwang – an ally of Eng Odongo Okune, told mourners – only to a constant boos
Speaking to the mourners, Eng. Odongo Okune said: “There is time for everything; I call on people to accept changes at all times.”
Mrs Barbra Cissy Atim Ogwal – the Dokolo Woman MP who also attended the burial railed bad division among the people of Lango.
MP Ogwal called for unison among different stakeholders for the development of the sub-region
As per the government gazette, Mzee Yosam Odur Ebii who has also had certain amount of rejection from clan chiefs [Owitong] and locals, is the legitimate paramount chief, of Lango.
Mr Pius Bigirimana – the then Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development – a ministry under which cultural institutions fall, said: “For as far as government knows, Lango hasn’t rejected Mzee Odur Ebii.”
A commissioner in the same Ministry who asked not to be named, in a recent interview with TND News, said: “The cultural issues in Lango is complex but as a ministry we recognize one leader. We, as of now don’t recognize both of them.”
On 21, February, 2020, Mr Odongo Okune received rejection from some Lango leaders in Barlonyo when he attended the memorial prayers for those killed by LRA rebels.
In his address, the Uganda Road Fund ex-Executive Director says he was attending the prayers in the capacity of ‘Lango paramount chief’.
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