Lira, Uganda | Leaders from across the Lango Subregion have pledged to put aside political, cultural and personal differences and jointly lobby government for development, saying the region must benefit from the overwhelming votes cast in favour of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in the recent elections.
The resolution was reached during a peace, unity, and reconciliation prayer meeting convened on Saturday at Lango Cultural Centre by the Tekwaro A’Lango together with religious leaders from across the subregion.
The gathering brought together cultural leaders, politicians, religious heads, and local government officials to chart a common development path for Lango over the next five years.
Prayers that opened the meeting were led by Lira Diocese Bishop Sanctus Lino Wanok and Emeritus Bishop John Charles Odur Kami, who emphasized reconciliation and unity among leaders as a foundation for regional transformation.
Speaking on behalf of the Lango Religious Leaders’ Forum, Bishop Tom Ibrahim Okello urged leaders to overcome jealousy, division, and internal conflicts, noting that such weaknesses have historically slowed development efforts in Lango.
He said meaningful engagement with government requires unity of purpose among leaders at all levels.
Chairing the meeting, the Paramount Chief of Lango (Won-Nyaci), Moses Michael Odongo Okune identified poverty, low education levels, disease burden, unemployment, and weakening cultural values as major challenges affecting the region.
He called on leaders to harmonise proposals into a unified development document to be submitted to the president as a guiding framework for government intervention in Lango.
Among the priorities highlighted were increased appointment of Lango professionals to senior government positions, poverty eradication programmes, protection of communal land from encroachment, improvement of health and education services, promotion of cultural institutions, industrialisation, expansion of business opportunities, elevation of Amach Market to international status and construction of an international airport in the subregion.
Outgoing Dokolo South MP Felix Okot Ogong, representing clan chiefs (Owitong), said Lango’s reported 84.6 percent electoral support for President Museveni significantly contributed to his victory and should be reciprocated through government appointments and development projects.
He argued that rewarding supportive regions strengthens national stability and unity.
Adwari Subcounty LCIII Chairperson Simon Obong Opio appealed to government to compensate victims of the Lord’s Resistance Army insurgency in Barlonyo, Abia, Amononeno and Abok, while cautioning residents against undermining fellow Lango leaders appointed to national positions.
Alebtong Woman MP-elect Mercy Lakisa Faith called for expansion of enrolment at the Lango Zonal Presidential Skilling Hub and mentorship programmes aimed at nurturing responsible and culturally grounded youth leadership.
Oyam District LC V Chairperson Benson Walter Dilla Oyuku urged government to develop tourism sites within Lango to create employment opportunities and boost household incomes.
Meanwhile, Lango Parliamentary Group (LPG) Chairperson Judith Alyek said leaders from the region have already been engaging government on key projects including establishment of an industrial park, construction of a Regional Heart Institute at Lira University and improvement of road infrastructure linking districts within Lango.
Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua encouraged leaders to take collective responsibility in lobbying for development, emphasizing that organised engagement with government institutions is essential for service delivery.
The meeting concluded with the formation of a 17-member committee chaired by Lango Cultural Institution Prime Minister Prof. Willy Okullo to draft resolutions arising from the dialogue into a formal document to guide coordinated lobbying efforts for government support.
