Local govt leaders applaud Lango culture court ruling

Lira | The planned “coronation” of Lango Cultural Institution leader Eng. Michael Odongo Okune as Won Nyaci of Lango was legally canceled on October 31.

If that happened, he would run a parallel cultural administration alongside Dickson Ogwang Okul.

According to the results of the October 10 election, Okul was elected to succeed Yosam Odur Ebii, who is 98.

However, when Okul and Odongo were elected, there was a pending court case, Civil Suit No. 10 of 2024.

This lawsuit was filed to challenge the legitimacy of Eng. Odongo Okune’s election earlier this year.

Justice Philip Odoki issued what Awitong Daniel Omara Atubo described as “the educative ruling” on October 31.

In his 62-page ruling, Justice Odoki nullified Eng. Odongo Okune’s election and barred him and his group from participating in any cultural activities, including the planned November 2 event.

The same ruling also overturned Ogwang Okul’s election as Won Nyaci to succeed Odur, and the Judge directed Gender Minister Betty Amongi to regazzette Mzee Odur.

The Odoki ruling has elicited mixed reactions among Lango residents and those in the diaspora, with dozens welcoming it.

The Okune group has also welcomed the decision, but has vowed to appeal.

Lango local government leaders happy 

During a press conference held on Friday, November 1, 2024, at Palm Garden in Lira City, David Kennedy Odongo, LC5 Chairperson of Alebtong District, and the Chairperson of Lango LC5 Chairs expressed their satisfaction with the decision.

Kennedy stated that the decision is expected to settle ongoing disputes over Lango’s cultural issues.

He stated that the leadership had hoped for a “decision like this to end the protracted conflict in Lango.”

“We cannot have two paramount chiefs in Lango. We are pleased and will support Mzee Yosam Odur as our leader; it is time to respect our elders,” he emphasised.

Andrew Moses Awany, Kole district LC5 chairman, also praised the ruling.

Awany, who was recently elected President of the Uganda Local Government Leaders Association (ULGA), urged Okune supporters to unite with Yosam and work together to promote peace in Lango.

The ULGA leader further urged the LCI group to avoid escalating cultural tensions.

During a meeting last week at the Lango Cultural Centre, clan leaders affiliated with LCI accused Speaker of Parliament Anita Among of influencing the ruling.

Clan leaders, including Bosco Ogwang Edola, also accused Lira City woman MP Dr Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero of influencing the Jude to rule against them.

On Speaker Among’s behalf, Parliament’s Director of Communications, Chris Obore, strongly denied the LCI accusations.

Additional reporting by Denis Arao.