Lack of unity in cultural leadership may cripple Dev't in Lango-Col. Rtd Otoa

***Then*** ***Deputy speaker Jacob Oulanyah and Minister Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny groundbreaking ceremony of the Lango Cultural Foundation. Courtesy photo***

By Denis Okello (denis.okello@vol.co.ug)

Lira

The clan leader of Abwori Col Rtd. Tonny Otoa has stated that the planned construction of Lango cultural palace may not happen unless the people of Lango unite under the leadership of only one paramount chief.

Otoa said in 2014, while still the prime minister of Lango Cultural Foundation, they met Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at State House, after the Lango conference 2012 and tabled before him some of the resolutions of the people of Lango including return of Ireda housing estate to Lango cultural institution like it was being done with other cultural institutions in Uganda.

He said they also reminded the president about the construction of Lango cultural palace and he promised that the funds will be allocated for the project.

Otoa said the project was affected by the cultural leadership struggles at the time that Benjamin Okii and the late Charles Olet took over the leadership of Lango cultural foundation which forced Otoa to resign as prime minister of Lango cultural foundation.

Tony Otoa called for unity among the people of Lango under one cultural leader if they are to realize tangible development.

About the recent meeting of Lango paramount chief Yosam Odur Ebii, Prime Minister James Robert Ajal, and clan heads with president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at Baralegi State Lodge, where they asked the president to reign in on Tekwaro Lango leader Eng. Dr. Michael Moses Odongo Okune, Tony Otoa said the president’s response indicated that the president is interested in working with Odongo Okune.

He said the people of Lango will realize developments only if they work together with Odongo Okune.

Recently, the chairperson of Lango LCV and mayor’s forum David Kennedy Odongo said the people of Lango should act fast to resolve cultural leadership wrangles as opposed to waiting for the planned mediation of the two factions by the president which may take long to bear fruits.