The wife of the Paramount Chief (Won-Nyaci) of Lango, Margaret Odongo Okune, has challenged women across the Lango sub-region to take the lead in fighting poverty, promoting family unity and preserving cultural values as a foundation for sustainable development.
Speaking during a meeting with women in Otwal Sub-county, Oyam District, on Thursday, July 30, 2026, the Queen, popularly known as Agong, said the visit marked the beginning of her sub-regional tour aimed at engaging communities on women’s empowerment, peace and family well-being. Accompanied by members of the Agong Foundation, she described women as the pillars of the family and urged them to respect their husbands, work hard, and invest in activities that generate wealth for their households.
She observed that poverty remains one of the greatest threats to family stability, saying its eradication starts at the household level. Agong also expressed concern over the increasing cases of teenage pregnancies, saying they rob girls of their future opportunities. She encouraged women to reform their social lifestyles, form savings and development groups, and take advantage of government poverty eradication programmes. She further criticised the growing habit of women spending time in trading centres consuming alcohol, saying the practice undermines family dignity.
On gender-based violence, Agong attributed many domestic conflicts to alcoholism, anger, and lack of mutual respect. She stressed that respect should be practised by both men and women, urging couples to embrace love, unity, and dialogue in resolving family disputes. She also regretted that some Lango parents are failing to teach their children the Lango language, warning that the trend threatens the preservation of the region’s cultural heritage.
The Agong also highlighted the importance of health, calling on residents to regularly test for HIV/AIDS and undergo routine medical check-ups. She urged people living with HIV to act responsibly to prevent further transmission and raised concern over the high prevalence of cancer and sickle cell disease in the sub-region. She appealed to couples to prioritise HIV and sickle cell screening before starting families, saying many of the associated complications can be prevented through informed decisions.
Deputy Minister of Gender under the Office of the Won-Nyaci me Lango Cultural Institution, Caroline Edonga, described women as the backbone of the family and encouraged them to remain resilient despite the many challenges they face in their homes and communities.
Otwal Sub-county LCIII Chairperson Angim Balam welcomed the Queen and the Agong Foundation delegation, describing the visit as historic for the area. He pledged the sub-county’s support for programmes initiated by the foundation to improve the welfare of women and families.
Before arriving in Otwal, Agong visited Oyam Women’s Prison, where she encouraged female inmates to embrace vocational skills to prepare for productive lives after serving their sentences. She commended prison authorities for their care of inmates and appealed for the establishment of a daycare centre for children living with incarcerated mothers. During the visit, she donated sugar, sanitary pads, and milk, while inmates requested support with vocational training materials and childcare services.