LCI leaders seek meeting with IGP over police-cultural affairs

Leaders of the Lango Cultural Foundation, a prominent cultural institution in the Lango sub-region, are seeking a meeting with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to address what they describe as excessive police interference in their cultural activities.

The conflict centers on a leadership dispute with a rival faction, the Lango Cultural Institution, which is currently led by Dr. Eng. Moses Michael Odongo Okune.

Addressing journalists on Monday, March 9, 2026, at Lira Valley Resort in Lira City, the Foundation’s Minister of Information, Jacob Ocen, outlined the ongoing disputes.

He stated that both factions have matters pending before the court, referencing a ruling that there was no vacancy for the position of Paramount Chief (Won Nyaci) at the time a faction of clan leaders elected Dr. Odongo Okune in 2023.

Minister Ocen was particularly responding to a recent incident involving police. He claimed that security personnel blocked Foundation members who were traveling to install a newly elected clan leader, Yasfeci Okello Otim of Orima Kori, at his home in Igot Ojwang, Olilim sub-county in Otuke district.

He stated that police prevented a delegation of clan leaders from witnessing the ceremony.

Ocen accused the local police of overstepping their mandate. “The police in Lango are now taking orders from Odongo Okune to disrupt all activities of the Lango Cultural Foundation,” Ocen alleged.

“It is not right that the police blocked the area speaker, Dr. Larry Lawrence Ocen, from accessing the venue. I want to make this statement very clear: neither Odongo Okune nor the Uganda Police Force has the power to block any events organized by the Lango Cultural Foundation, as the matter between the two factions is still sub judice.”

The conflict between the Lango Cultural Foundation and the Lango Cultural Institution has been long-standing, with disputes over legitimate leadership often turning violent. Multiple court cases and injunctions have been issued, halting coronations and elections, particularly following the disputed 2024 elections.

Local police have frequently been caught in the middle, accused of interfering by blocking cultural activities, which has sometimes led to clashes with clan elders. In a notable incident in November 2024, police intervened to quell chaos at the Lango Cultural Centre.

While some clan leaders have previously requested police intervention to restore order, others, like Ocen, accuse the security forces of taking sides in the protracted leadership wrangles.

Despite the police intervention, Minister Ocen affirmed that the Foundation’s scheduled activities, including the installation of new clan leaders, will continue.

He announced that the Lango Cultural Foundation is also organizing fresh elections to fill the void left by the death of their recognized Won Nyaci, the late Yosam Odur E-bill, who passed away at Lira University Teaching Hospital.

Ocen clarified a point of confusion for the public, distinguishing between two separate legal battles. “The court case involving the late Yosam Odur Ebii’s son and clan leader Anthony Olobo against Dr. Eng. Moses Michael Odongo Okune is different from the main case between the two cultural bodies,” he explained.

“The people of Lango must know that all our activities will continue until we have a newly elected Won Nyaci before the end of October this year.”

Also read: Court of Appeal: Ogwang Okul’s sworn affidavit in reply to Eng. Odongo Okune’s

The underlying issue for the Foundation and its supporters is the need for a neutral and authoritative resolution. They are appealing to the IGP to intervene and prevent what they see as the illegal operation of the rival Lango Cultural Institution, while allowing the Foundation to conduct its activities without hindrance.

When contacted for a response, the North Kyoga Regional Police Public Relations Officer, SP Jimmy Patrick Okema, confirmed that police had indeed blocked the Foundation’s activities.

He explained this was due to a directive from the Regional Police Commander (RPC), instructing them to seek further clarification from the IGP.

Okema welcomed the Foundation’s planned meeting with the IGP, stating: “Police work with instructions from above, so this meeting could help provide the necessary clarity for all parties involved.”