Lira City, Uganda – Tensions surrounding Lango’s cultural leadership deepened this week following the circulation of a forged letter allegedly written by Hon. Sam Engola, Senior Presidential Advisor for the Lango Sub-region.
The letter, which appeared on social media, purportedly sought President Yoweri Museveni’s intervention to block the coronation of Dr. Eng. Odongo Okune by Justice Odoki. However, glaring omissions such as a date, stamp, and an authentic signature quickly cast doubt on its legitimacy.
Hon. Engola, in a swift response, disassociated himself from the controversial document. He unequivocally denied its authorship, describing it as a malicious ploy by individuals aiming to inflame the already sensitive cultural leadership dispute in Lango.
“I have never written any letter to the President regarding the Lango cultural leadership conflict,” Hon. Engola said. “This is the work of hypocrites who thrive on creating chaos and division in our community. These acts are in bad faith and serve no purpose but to derail peace.”
The Senior Presidential Advisor pointed fingers at opportunistic political actors, accusing them of using culture as a battleground to gain relevance.
“Some individuals, including new entrants in Erute South politics, are exploiting this controversy to seek cheap popularity. They are mixing culture with politics, which is a recipe for further division,” he stated.
This is not the first time Hon. Engola has faced such attacks. Earlier in the year, his signature was forged in a separate document targeting the President’s office.
“This is a repeated attempt to tarnish my image. Such forgery is unacceptable and must be addressed decisively,” he added.
The forgery has sparked widespread concern about the misuse of social media to propagate falsehoods.
The fraudulent letter has not only stirred confusion but also threatened to escalate tensions in a region already grappling with a divisive cultural leadership conflict.
“This moment calls for calm and unity,” Hon. Engola urged. “I appeal to all the people of Lango to disregard this false letter and focus on building peace. We must resolve our differences through dialogue and reconciliation, not through lies and manipulation.”
The cultural leadership dispute in Lango has become a lightning rod for opportunistic schemes, with various factions vying for influence.
However, Hon. Engola’s firm rejection of the forgery and his emphasis on peace and unity underscore the critical need to separate political ambitions from cultural matters.
As Lango navigates this turbulent period, the community is reminded of the importance of truth, integrity, and dialogue.
The forged letter, while an attempt to fuel division, has instead highlighted the resilience of leaders and citizens committed to safeguarding the region’s harmony.
