Members of the Oumolao clan, together with former Kyoga parliamentary candidate Felix Adupa Ongwech, have accused their “former” clan head, Joe Otim of refusing to vacate the office of clan leader despite his tenure having expired.
Ongwech also serves in the clan’s cabinet as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
Addressing journalists at City Garden in Lira on Friday, April 10, 2026, Adupa—who holds multiple roles including Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation in the Lango Cultural Foundation, and acting Minister of Foreign Affairs—confirmed that Otim’s time in office is over.
He stated that Otim currently has no power to remove any minister or install new members.
Ongwech was responding to information circulating on social media and on the radio that Otim had sacked him from his ministerial position.
“The claim that I do not support the Lango cultural institution, now headed by Dr. Eng. Moses Michael Odongo Okune, is not true. Otim is out of office and is now operating as an ordinary person,” he said.
According to Ongwech, the Oumolao clan constitution stipulates that the Awitong (clan chief) serves only two terms in office, within a period of ten years, after which fresh elections must be held for all positions, starting with the Awitong.
He lamented that on September 17, 2025—acting in his capacity to provide legal advice and services to the clan’s government and ensure good governance—he wrote to outgoing clan head, Otim notifying him that his term had been over.
Otim has been in office since 2008. Adupa urged Otim to organise a fresh election.
Ongwech further accused Otim of calling the press to condemn and reject a fellow clan member, allegedly supporting other factions for personal interest. He commented that about 70% of Lango clan heads whose terms have expired are now operating equally within the Lango cultural institution.
“These are the kinds of clan leaders who are dividing members into two or three groups, which we do not want. If your time is up, leave the work for another person,” he said.
Meanwhile, Raymod Otim, a member of Oumolao Clan and an advocate of the Courts, stated that the clan’s constitution allows elections every five years. He asserted that Joe Otim has been dethroned and therefore has no powers to appoint or remove anyone.
“If anything, it is now the speaker who should act, not Otim. Let us continue to uphold the constitution. I reject his recent claim that he has removed Adupa; in law, that claim holds no water,” Raymod said.
Sarah Awor Angweri, another clan member, told journalists that in the past, Oumolao members worked well under Joe Otim’s leadership, with good relationships among members.
However, she said disagreements began after Otim joined the Lango cultural institution under Dr. Eng. Moses Michael Odongo Okune—an institution she claimed operates without a guiding constitution. She alleged that Otim then started forcing clan members to join him in supporting that institution.
“As clan members, we will continue to disagree with our Awitong unless a fresh election is held for a new clan chief. I encourage him to go slow, because Oumolao needs a leader who will unite people and bring us together,” Awor said.
Elvis Ajwika, the spokesperson for Oumolao clan, when contacted for comment, made it clear that Adupa Ongwech is still serving as Minister of Ethics, Justice, and Constitutional Affairs, and that the clan still recognises Otim Joe as head of the clan.
He condemned Otim’s recent actions, saying Otim is being influenced by outsiders or individuals with personal interests to force clan members to support the Lango cultural institution.
“It is very clear in the Oumolao constitution: ‘Oumolao only unites us.’ Beyond that, the clan does not restrict any person from following whatever they wish—whether in religion, politics, or cultural matters. We have freedom of association. I believe Awitong made this reckless statement when his emotional intelligence was low. Although he has appointing authority, he should inform members why he is removing someone, not act arbitrarily,” Ajwika said.
In response to the allegations, Joe Otim said he remains the current clan head of Oumolao. He confirmed that he sacked Minister Felix Adupa Ongwech for siding with another faction of the Lango Cultural Foundation.
“I am still the Oumolao Clan head, whether I was elected in 2002 or not. I cannot continue working with him because he is not supporting Odongo Okune. How could you refuse to listen to advice from your boss?” Otim said.
Sam Ajwika, Speaker of the Oumolao clan, said the clan is independent. “If it is true that Otim Joe has sacked Felix Adupa Ongwech for not supporting the Lango cultural institution, that is very unfortunate. He must explain this to the rest of the cabinet, because Adupa has the right to belong wherever he wishes.
The clan, through its powers, will call for a meeting.” Sam Ajwika also accused Otim of failing to call any kind of meeting since he took office over 15 years ago, despite being given all the tools and powers to function fully as Awitong.
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