Lira, Uganda | Fresh efforts to resolve the long-standing leadership wrangles within the Lango Cultural leadership have emerged, with leaders calling for calm and renewed commitment to dialogue as rival factions continue to clash over the rightful Won-Nyaci.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday, 8 April 2026, at Lango Cultural Centre in Lira City, the Lango Cultural institution’s Speaker, Willy Omodo Omodo, acknowledged that Lango has endured prolonged internal conflict and stressed the urgency of ending the infighting.
He revealed dissatisfaction with a High Court ruling in Lira, noting that the institution had sought redress in the Court of Appeal, where a stay of execution was secured. The order allows Eng. Dr. Moses Michael Odongo Okune to remain on the throne pending final determination of the case.
Omodo Omodo maintained that the government, through the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, gazetted Odongo Okune, granting him full authority to represent Lango and perform cultural rituals as Won-Nyaci. He criticised individuals conducting parallel rituals, describing their actions as unlawful, but urged calm among the population and openness to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
Won-Nyaci’s spokesperson, Counsel Okwir Patrick, accused Benjamin Okii of continuing to conduct cultural rituals in disregard of the Court of Appeal order. He insisted that only the gazetted Won-Nyaci has the legal mandate to perform such functions.
Okwir warned that legal action, including possible contempt of court proceedings, is under consideration against Okii, urging him to halt the activities until the court delivers its final verdict. He further declared that any cultural leader installed by Okii would not be recognised by either the government or any cultural institution in Uganda.
He also clarified that during proceedings on March 31, 2026, the Court of Appeal advised both the Lango Cultural Institution and the rival Lango Cultural Foundation to pursue ADR as a faster and less contentious path to resolution.
Minister of Information and Publicity Okeng Sam Orech cautioned the public against what he termed as “unauthentic information” from the rival faction, likening its spread to past destabilisation caused by Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). He emphasised that only his office and that of the Won-Nyaci are mandated to issue official communication.
Orech highlighted ongoing initiatives under the institution, including tree planting, scholarship programmes, and plans to distribute coffee seedlings to clan members through clan heads.
First Deputy Prime Minister Simon Peter Odepe dismissed claims of a leadership breakdown, insisting the institution remains cohesive under Odongo Okune. He also announced that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is expected to visit Lango on April 18, 2026, following an invitation by the Won-Nyaci.
On the stalled construction of the Lango palace, Odepe attributed delays to a contractor abandoning the site but assured that a new contractor would soon resume work.
However, in a sharp rebuttal, Okii-Bura Awitong (Clan Chief) Benjamin Okii denied disobeying the Court of Appeal order. He argued that no law bars an Awitong from performing cultural rituals, stating that such roles can be undertaken by the Won-Nyaci, senior clan chiefs, clergy or the Itogo (Council of Lango Elders).
Okii maintained that grievances against him should be addressed through the courts rather than public accusations. He further claimed that the court order only restricted Odongo Okune and Ambassador Dickson Ogwang from performing rituals, distancing himself from any wrongdoing.
While expressing openness to ADR, Okii said progress would depend on whether the Lango Cultural Institution accepts conditions proposed by the Lango Cultural Foundation. He dismissed media engagements as unproductive, insisting the courts would ultimately determine the matter.
He defended his continued involvement in cultural affairs, citing his role in the March 29, 2026, enthronement of Maj. (Rtd) Fred Gawera as clan chief of Okadameri Clan in Aduku, Kwania District.
The dispute stems from the contested 2024 process to select a new Won-Nyaci following the retirement of veteran leader late Mzee Yosam Odur Ebii.
Parallel elections produced rival leaders, with Odongo Okune declared winner on March 1, 2024, while Ambassador Dickson Ogwang Okul was separately elected by another faction.
A section later challenged Okune’s victory, leading to a High Court ruling on October 31, 2024, in which Justice Phillip Odoki nullified his election, ordered his de-gazettement and reinstated Ebii, while also barring Ogwang from assuming office.
The Court of Appeal later issued a stay of execution, temporarily halting enforcement of those orders.
Despite the legal disputes, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi, upheld government recognition of Okune, citing compliance with the law and Ebii’s voluntary abdication.
Okune subsequently took oath as Won-Nyaci on February 5, 2025, but the conflict remains unresolved, leaving the Lango community divided as it awaits either a final court ruling or a negotiated settlement through ADR.