Lira, Uganda | Lango cultural leaders from the Lango Cultural Foundation (LCF) and the Lango Cultural Institution (LCI), together with the family of the late Paramount Chief, Won Nyaci Yosam Odur Ebii, have agreed to hold a joint and “decent” burial on November 22, 2025.
The resolution was announced on Saturday during a press briefing at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Lira City, where leaders urged the public to reject divisive messages and embrace unity as preparations gain momentum.
Dr. Lorry Lawrence Ocen, the Speaker of the Lango Cultural Foundation and chairperson of the burial committee, said all clans had reached a consensus on working together.
“All the clans agree to bury the Won Nyaci in a decent way,” Dr Ocen said, adding that a joint communiqué issued on Friday confirmed that the burial would proceed without cultural interference.
He appealed to individuals spreading disunity on radio and social media to stop immediately.
Professor Willy Okullu, Prime Minister of the Lango Cultural Institution, confirmed that discussions held on Friday centred on ensuring that the late chief’s burial promotes harmony rather than division.
“The death of Yosam Odur Ebii should be of unity, not segregation,” Prof Okullu said.
He urged the Lango community to prepare for the burial, describing the renewed cooperation between the two cultural factions as “the first of its kind.”
Ogwal Oyee Fedrick, the acting Won Nyaci and Prime Minister of the LCF, said many people had spoken fondly of the late Yosam since his passing on November 10.
He encouraged the public to honour those sentiments by supporting a joint burial.
“For our friends in the Lango Cultural Institution, we are united with them in order to give Yosam a decent send-off,” he said.
The family also confirmed its support for the unified approach.
Anthony Olobo Odur, son of the late Won Nyaci and clan head of the Atek Omwony-pel clan, said they welcomed the collective effort.
He commended both cultural institutions for agreeing to conduct joint burial meetings and thanked those who have championed unity during the process.
Bosco Ogwang Edola of the Omola-tar-odyakol clan, who serves as Minister of Finance (Lango Cultural Institution) under HRH. Eng. Dr. Moses Michael Odongo Okune, called on all 190 clans of Lango to participate in the preparations.
As a gesture of solidarity, he contributed Shs1 million in cash to the burial committee.
Ogwang Edola dismissed rumours surrounding the burial arrangements and urged the community to attend the daily meetings at Grand Pacific Hotel.
The unified position taken by Lango’s cultural factions and the late chief’s family signals a renewed commitment to reconciliation and offers hope for strengthened relations within the community.
