A section of leaders in the Lango sub-region have welcomed the recent court ruling that blocked the coronation of Dr. Eng. Michael Moses Odongo Okune as the next paramount chief.
The leaders, while addressing the media in Lira City on Friday, November 1st, 2024, pledged to mediate the two factions to embrace reconciliation and restore harmony.
David Kennedy Odongo, the Alebtong district LCV chairperson, who is also the leader of all the LCV chairpersons in the Lango Subregion, said as the local government leaders in Lango, they are optimistic that the ruling will resolve the cultural conflicts.
“We cannot have two paramount chiefs in Lango; we are happy, and we shall continue to embrace the leadership of H.H. Yosam Odur as our leader,” Odongo said.
Andrew Awany, the LCV chairperson of Kole district, who is also the President of the Uganda Local Government Association, ULGA, expressed happiness about the ruling and urged Dr. Okune’s team to respect the ruling and accept to work together for the development of Lango instead of fueling conflict in Lango.
MP Tony Ayo of Kwania equally welcomed the ruling, saying it’s been long overdue and will now aid leaders in rooting for unity.
“I welcome the recent court ruling on the long-standing leadership issues at our beloved Lango Cultural Institution. This verdict marks a new chapter in our journey toward unity and progress. I urge those who have fueled disunity and hindered development to put aside their differences and join us in embracing this ruling,” MP Ayo said.
Ayo said, “The court’s instruction to the Minister of Gender to re-gazette Muzee Yocam paves the way for a unified constitution, guiding a free and fair election under his leadership. This constitution will ensure clarity and transparency, allowing our community, government, and prospective leaders to understand the electoral process,” Ayo said.
On Friday, November 1st, 2024, a group of clan leaders loyal to Dr. Eng. Michael Moses Odongo later installed him as the new Paramount Chief during a brief ritual held at Lango Cultural Centre in Lira City despite a court ruling. The group led by one Willy Omodo Omodo, the speaker of Tekwaro Lango council, was later dispersed by the security.
On Thursday, October 31st, 2024, the High Court sitting in Lira City blocked the coronation of Dr. Okune as the next Won Nyaci of Lango.
In the judgment delivered via email to both parties, the High Court presided over by Justice Odoki and annulled both the election of Dr. Eng. Michael Odongo Okune (Lango Cultural Institution) and Amb Dickson Ogwang Okul (Lango Cultural Foundation) as the new Won Nyaci of Lango (Paramount Chief) to succeed the outgoing leader, Yosam Odur.
The judgment declared H.H. Yosam Odur as still the reigning Paramount Chief of Lango and also.
The court issued an order directing the Ministry of Gender, Labor, and Social Development to re-gazette HH Odur Ebii as Won Nyaci of Lango.
He also issued a permanent injunction forbidding both Amb. Ogwang Okul and Eng. Dr. Odongo Okune from performing the function of Paramount Chief of Lango.
Okune Group has since blamed Speaker of Parliament Annet Anita Among and Health Minister Dr. Jane Aceng Ocero of being behind the ruling.
“Anita and associates must stay away from the affairs of Lango and let us rest. The Cultural Centre is for Lango but not for men; we are the ones in charge,” Omodo Omodo said. Other clan leaders further accused Dr. Aceng of being behind the recent ruling.
In her response, Speaker Among denied the claim she has no moral interest in meddling in the affairs of the Lango people.
Through Chris Obore, the Director of Communications at Parliament, Speaker Among described the claimed smear campaign with an ill motive.
