Summary of Lango cultural leadership legal proceedings

By Morris Micheal Odongo

Lira | Following the October 31 judgment, the High Court of Lira denied an application for a stay of execution.

Eng. Micheal Odongo Okune, Willie Omodo Omodo, and George Ojwang Opota, among others, filed this application.

Among other things, the applicants were dissatisfied with the landmark ruling on October 31, which declared Eng. Odongo’s election as Won Nyaci “null and void.”

Justice Philip Odoki also issued a permanent injunction prohibiting Eng. Odongo from carrying out his duties as the Paramount Chief of Lango.

On November 29, Odoki issued a ruling in which the Court awarded costs to the defendants and ruled that the applicants had not satisfied the requirements for a stay of execution. Read more here.

Legal guidance before November 29 

The High Court in Lira had set deadlines for the lawyers representing both sides in the Lango cultural leadership dispute to submit written arguments in the new case.

Lango Cultural Institution, led by Eng. Odongo, filed a new application, Civil Suit No. 126 of 2024, requesting that the Court review its October 31 decision.

During the last virtual hearing of this application, a fortnight ago, Justice Phillip Odoki directed Eng. Odongo Okune’s legal representatives, led by Dr. Adam Makmot Kibwanga and Patrick Okwir, to submit written arguments by Monday, November 11, 2024.

Meanwhile, the attorneys representing Benjamin Okii and Denis Obia Acila, led by Emmanuel Egaru, were instructed to file their submissions by Friday, November 15, 2024.

Justice Odoki stated that he would announce his decision on the matter on November 22, 2024, at 2:30 p.m.

However, this was postponed until November 29, when he issued the ruling, dismissing the application.

The Lango Cultural Institution has since filed an appeal with the Court of Appeal.