“You all lack authority,” LCF spokesperson tells LCI leaders ahead on Feb. 28

Lango Cultural Foundation (LCF) has appealed to the entire Lango community to reject a call made by the leadership of the rival camp Lango Cultural Institution for a meeting next week.

The Foundation has declared the said meeting “illegitimate” adding that the matters concerning both institutions are currently pending before the Court of Appeal in Kampala.

Addressing journalists on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at the Lango Cultural Foundation offices in Senior Quarters, Lira City East Division, the foundation’s spokesperson, Jacob Ocen, stated that neither body (LCF and LCI) has the power to convene any meetings under the banner of a “Lango Agenda.”

Ocen was responding to an invitation from the head of the Lango Cultural Institution, issued through his Prime Minister, Willy Okullu. The invitation calls upon all elected leaders, including those who were unsuccessful in the recent elections, to a meeting scheduled for February 28, 2026, at the Lango Cultural Centre.

Ocen argued that this is improper because the Lango community currently has no recognised cultural leader following the passing of the legitimate Paramount Chief, Yosam Odur Ebii, who died at Lira University Teaching Hospital last year.

“This is not right,” Ocen said. He lamented that the actions of the Lango Cultural Institution are illegal. “As the Lango Cultural Foundation, we reject this misleading of the community. Furthermore, the people of Lango demand accountability for the over shs500 million that the Lango Cultural Institution collected from the public in the name of coordinating the installation of Eng. Moses Michael Odongo Okune.

“To be a leader of Lango, one must receive the blessings of the people. The head of the Lango Cultural Institution has not received such blessings.”

Also read: Lango clans’ head calls for unity and reconciliation following the recent elections

“We want the entire Lango community to know that our court case between these two institutions will resume in March,” Ocen continued.

“We are calling upon any clan leader who wishes to contest for the position of Lango Paramount Chief to start preparing for the election, which will take place this year, 2026.”

The Lango Cultural Foundation is currently headed by the Acting Paramount Chief (Won Nyaci), Fredrick Ogwal Oyee. According to the Lango Cultural Foundation’s constitution, the Prime Minister is mandated to take over the leadership if the head of the institution dies.

The Lango Cultural Foundation urges the government of Uganda, under the leadership of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, to continue maintaining peace. They also appreciated the people of Lango for voting for President Museveni, claiming he received 84% of the vote in the area.

“This shows that the people of Lango love the NRM government,” Ocen stated.

A letter seen by this publication listed the invitees for LCI meeting, including the Government Chief Whip, Denis Hamson Obua; Ministers Aceng and Amongi; all religious leaders; all elected Members of Parliament; all district chairpersons; all LC3 chairpersons; and security personnel.

Ocen strongly condemns this call. “How can you invite a person who lost an election just one month ago? This is not right. I think people who do not believe in Odongo Okune will not attend that meeting.”