Granting a stay of execution will create a leadership vacuum

Lira | The Court of Appeal sitting in Kampala is expected to convene on December 16 in a case involving Eng. Moses Odongo Okune and others of LCI versus Ben Acila and Benjamin Okii of LCF following the October 31 High Court ruling.

The ruling, issued by Justice Philip Odoki, overturned Eng. Odongo and Dickson Ogwang Okul’s election as Won Nyaci of Lango.

Justice Odoki returned cultural leadership to Odur, citing the Lango Cultural Foundation constitution of 2017, which has been recognized by the government for years.

The same consitution was gazetted by the government to recognise Won Nyaci Yosam Odur Ebii’s Lango cultural legitimacy.

Unfortunately, the October ruling did not appease Eng. Odongo and his team. They have rushed to the Court of Appeal, requesting a stay of execution and orders from the Lira High Court.

Ogwang Okul is one of the parties named in the Odoki judgment. Ogwang welcomed the ruling and told Lango that he would support Mzee Yosam.

Ogwang contends in his affidavit now with the Court of Appeal that the ruling declared both of their elections invalid and reinstated Mzee Yosam Odur Ebil as the Paramount Chief.

“Granting Okune a stay would create a leadership vacuum and further confusion, as three individuals would claim the title.”

According to Ogwang, “Okune has suffered no loss from the judgment because his coronation never occurred.”

He highlights that “Okune’s history of defiance, illegal actions, and alleged criminal offenses against him and his associates.”

“A stay would only benefit Okune’s continued disregard for legal processes and the current Paramount Chief,” he stated.

Ogwang believes the High Court’s decision was intended to restore peace, and that the Court of Appeal’s granting of a stay would undermine that goal.

In his affidavit, Eng. Odongo Okune tells Court of Appeal that there is likely success, saying failure to grant them victory will cause irreparable loss and harm.