Last Updated on: 22nd October 2021, 10:26 pm
Lango sons and daughters, at home and abroad have condemned Thursday’s protest by a group of women in Lira City.
Lira – 21, October 2021: A group of women loyal to Eng Moses Odongo Okune on Thursday took to Lira city streets protesting on what they say is “unfair” treatment of their Paramount Chief (Won Nyaci) by Minister of Gender, Betty Amongi.
At around 11 am, more than seven dozens of braless women, some half naked were seen carrying placards in protest of the Wednesday’s meeting at Lira University.
Some of the placards carried words such as “Amongi you have taken side on our King” and some read, “President Museveni come and intervene.”
On 20, October during a meeting organized by the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development to meet clan leaders from Lango at Lira University, it was resolved by some of the clan leaders that Mzee Yosam Odur Ebii is the legitimate Paramount Chief of Lango.
During the meeting, Gender Minister Betty Amongi said government still recognizes Odur Ebii as Lango’s Paramount Chief.
This, she added is basing on the 2003 Constitution of Lango Cultural Foundation.
According to Amongi, Engineer Odongo Okune should not continue parading himself as Lango Paramount Chief, and that he should not hold himself as such in media or public function.
The meeting also resolved that the offices of the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) and RDCs should meet media house owners and forge away forward on how to refrain them from covering Odongo Okune.
Now, the resolutions have found Odongo and his subjects, including dozens of women, unwell.
First, George Ojwang Opota who was months ago nominated by Odongo, and later approved as Prime Minister of Tekwaro Lango, says they will not respect the resolutions agreed upon by those loyal to Odur.
Ojwang explains that Won Nyaci Odongo Okune was validly elected by clan leaders using the 2016 Constitution.
He said they will continue doing their functions, working for the people of Lango.
Willy Omodo Omodo, clan head of Pedi Wibye Acel said the resolutions from the meeting held at Lira University is a political statement and can not be respected.
According to Omodo, no one will ever be allowed to continue intimidating them, because Odur Ebii is occupying the office illegally.
Minister Amongi, Wednesday described the meeting “fruitful” and that “consensus on key outstanding issues cultural leaders had raised with President Museveni was reached”.
Patrick Abal, clan chief of Arak Ongoda said, “The wrangles afflicted and embarrassed us for so long.”
“As Owitong (clan chiefs), we shall do everything to resolve this impasse amicably,” Abal reacted, via Twitter on Thursday.
Reporting by Ceaser Okello & Frank Oyugi.