Lira City, Uganda – Lango Paramount Chief, Eng. Dr. Michael Moses Odongo Okune has decried the rising cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), which he says are among the leading causes of single motherhood in urban areas across the Lango Subregion.
Speaking on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at his residence in Senior Quarters, Lira City, during a meeting with single mothers, Odongo Okune emphasized the urgent need for a community-driven approach to tackling GBV and supporting affected women.
The cultural leader attributed the increasing migration of women and children to urban centers to domestic violence and broken homes, noting that many women flee their marriages seeking peace and a means of survival.
He urged all stakeholders, including cultural institutions, government agencies, and the community at large, to unite in the fight against GBV, saying that addressing the issue would help restore family stability and protect cultural values.
Odongo Okune further criticized Lango culture’s failure to guide young people, noting that many youth enter relationships without understanding the responsibilities of parenthood.
He warned against early pregnancies and irresponsible fatherhood, which left many young women struggling as single mothers.
He urged women to take advantage of government poverty eradication programs, including the Parish Development Model (PDM) and the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP), to achieve economic independence.
“Some men are running away from their responsibilities of taking care of their families. This is not our culture. In Lango, a man was always responsible for his wife and children. We must restore this value,” he added.
Patrick Okullo Okeng, Minister of Information under Lango Cultural Institution, highlighted land injustices as a major issue affecting single mothers and widows.
He condemned relatives who chase orphans and widows from land left behind by their fathers, pushing many of them to the streets.
He called for stronger enforcement of land rights to protect vulnerable groups.
Susan Obongo, Women Leader for Otikokin Clan, emphasized the need for cultural leaders to pay close attention to single mothers, warning that many are forced into prostitution for survival, exposing them to sexually transmitted diseases.
Lydia Akello, Junior Quarters Female Councillor to Lira City West Division, pointed out that many single mothers who have undergone vocational training struggle to start businesses due to a lack of financial support.
She also raised concerns over discrimination against single mothers, noting that many are denied access to government programs such as PDM and even basic medical services due to societal stigma.
Akello appealed to Odongo Okune to champion the cause of single mothers, believing that his influence could secure opportunities for them.
During the meeting, several single mothers shared heart-wrenching stories about the circumstances that led to their current situations.
Many broke down in tears as they recounted tales of abandonment, domestic abuse, and struggles to raise children alone.
Despite their hardships, they expressed deep appreciation for Odongo Okune’s leadership, calling him a true leader who cares for the marginalized.
“Unlike other leaders who ignore us, Odongo Okune has opened his doors to us. He listens to our struggles and gives us hope. May God bless him for thinking about single mothers,” one woman said.
Odongo Okune’s meeting with single mothers underscores a growing crisis in Lango Subregion, where GBV, economic hardship, and land injustices continue to push women into urban poverty.
His call for unity in tackling these issues resonates with many, signalling a potential shift towards stronger cultural leadership and policy reforms.
The hope for a better future for single mothers in Lango remains alive whether through economic empowerment, cultural education, or policy change, the time to act is now as stakeholders rally behind his vision.
