Kyankwanzi, Uganda – For the first time in history, the Government of Uganda has officially invited the Lango Paramount Chief, Eng. Dr. Moses Michael Odongo Okune, to witness and participate in the International Women’s Day celebrations held today, March 8th, 2025, in Kyamkwanzi District.
This milestone marks a new chapter in the formal recognition of Lango Cultural Leadership at the national level.
Eng. Dr. Odongo Okune was among the legally recognized and gazetted Kings and Paramount Chiefs invited by the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development to grace the event.
The invitation signifies the government’s acknowledgment of his leadership and the importance of cultural institutions in promoting unity, development and social harmony.
The presence of Wonyaci Odongo Okune at the event drew positive attention from President Yoweri Museveni, who expressed his delight at seeing the newly recognized Lango Paramount Chief representing the Lango community during this year’s celebration.
This official recognition follows months of advocacy and efforts to bring stability and legitimacy to the Lango Cultural Institution.
Special recognition was given to Hon. Betty Amongi Akena, the Minister of Gender, Labor and Social Development, for her steadfast commitment to preserving and elevating Lango cultural heritage at the national level.
Her efforts have been pivotal in ensuring that the Lango Cultural Institution is no longer sidelined from important national events and discussions.
During the celebration, Eng. Dr. Odongo Okune reaffirmed his commitment to protecting and promoting Lango cultural norms, restoring Lango’s past leadership glory and supporting government programs aimed at improving household incomes and fostering community development.
Many intellectuals and observers believe that Dr. Odongo Okune’s leadership holds the potential to bring transformational change to the Lango sub-region.
His vision focuses on improving education, enhancing agriculture, promoting gender equality and strengthening peace-building through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms.
This inclusive and forward-thinking approach is seen as a crucial step toward addressing the challenges facing the Lango community.
Eng. Dr. Odongo Okune continues to emphasize the importance of collaboration between cultural institutions and government, ensuring that cultural leadership contributes to national development while preserving the rich traditions and identity of the Lango people.
