A senior diplomat has withdrawn his interest in running for the position of Lango Paramount Chief in the forthcoming election.

Ambassador Dickson Ogwang Okul, the head of the Pala-Ocol clan in Lango and the Head of Chancery at the Embassy of Uganda in Khartoum, Sudan, announced his withdrawal from the race on Wednesday, January 10, 2024.

Amb. Ogwang, who had previously expressed interest in contesting to become the next Wonyaci of Lango, withdrew his intention to allow him  concentrate on serving the nation.

“I have made this decision because of my strong interest in remaining relevant in national leadership with strong partisan convictions to remain available to serve in government, whether as an appointed envoy in foreign service or in any other position as may be determined by the Appointing Authority under the NRM government,” Ogwang said.

According to Amb. Ogwang, this doesn’t mean he has ruled out the possibility of participating in a partisan political election in the future. He emphasized that the position of a Paramount Chief (Wonyaci) is by law mandated to be non-partisan.

“May the Almighty guide us through this election process to enable Lango to obtain an acceptable leader who will foster peace, tranquilly, and development in Lango while preserving and promoting our culture, norms, and traditions,” Ogwang added.

He urged every stakeholder to embrace the transition process from His Highness Yosam Odur Ebii to the hopeful leader to be elected.

A total of six people, including former Prime Minister of Lango Cultural Foundation Dr. Richard Nam, the leader of Tekwaro Lango Institution, Eng. Dr. Michael Moses Odongo Okune, and Patrick Abal, among others, have declared interest in vieing for the position of Lango Paramount Chief in the coming election slated for January 31, 2024, in Lira City.