On Friday, November 1st, 2024, a group of clan leaders loyal to Dr. Eng. Dr. Eng. Michael Moses Odongo, whose coronation as the next Won Nyaci (Paramount Chief) of Lango was blocked by the High Court sitting in Lira, trashed the ruling and instead installed him.
The group led by Willy Omodo-Omodo, the Won-tok (speaker of Tekwaro Lango), while at the Lango Cultural Centre in Lira City, accused the Speaker of Parliament, Annet Anita Among, and the Health Minister, Dr. Jane Aceng, of meddling in the case in which Dr. Okune’s coronation was blocked.
“Anita and associates must stay away from the affairs of Lango and let us rest. The Cultural Centre is for Lango but not for men; we are the ones in charge,” Omodo Omodo said. Other clan leaders further accused Dr. Aceng of being behind the recent ruling.
Despite the counter-accusation of Okune’s group, the faction loyal to the reigning Won Nyaci Odur welcomes the ruling, saying it will finally restore the dispute.
“I welcome the recent court ruling on the long-standing leadership issues at our beloved Lango Cultural Institution. This verdict marks a new chapter in our journey toward unity and progress. I urge those who have fueled disunity and hindered development to put aside their differences and join us in embracing this ruling,” MP Ayo said.
Ayo said, “The court’s instruction to the Minister of Gender to re-gazette Muzee Yocam paves the way for a unified constitution, guiding a free and fair election under his leadership. This constitution will ensure clarity and transparency, allowing our community, government, and prospective leaders to understand the electoral process,” Ayo said.
“By respecting this ruling, we create space for unity and cooperation. Constitutional Clarity Sanity in Elections Respected. Leadership Let’s seize this opportunity to focus on development, cultural preservation, and leadership. Together, we can build a prosperous Lango,” he said.
In the judgment delivered via email to both parties, the High Court presided over by Justice Odoki and annulled both the election of Dr. Eng. Michael Odongo Okune (Lango Cultural Institution) and Amb Dickson Ogwang Okul (Lango Cultural Foundation) as the new Won Nyaci of Lango (Paramount Chief) to succeed the outgoing leader, Yosam Odur.
The judgment declared H.H. Yosam Odur as still the reigning Paramount Chief of Lango and also.
The court issued an order directing the Ministry of Gender, Labor, and Social Development to re-gazette HH Odur Ebii as Won Nyaci of Lango.
He also issued a permanent injunction forbidding both Amb. Ogwang Okul and Eng. Dr. Odongo Okune from performing the function of Paramount Chief of Lango.
