Clan heads ask Lango Chief Odur Ebii to reinstate EC

By Denis Ongora and Bonny Otim Ogwal (editor@vol.co.ug)

Lira City.

The council of Lango clan heads (Owitong) have resolved that the terminated members of the electoral commission be reinstated by the paramount chief Yosam Odur Ebii with immediate effect.

On the 24th of January 2024, the Paramount Chief of Lango Cultural Foundation Yosam Odur Ebii in an order released from his Teboke palace ,sacked the entire 7 member electoral body who was charged with organising elections for the new paramount chief.

The embattled members include Tom Otim, a retired headteacher, Beatrice Catherine Amongi Lagada,a former legislator and currently serving in the board of immigration, Ben Paul Ogwete Otim, a retired CAO, Obong Acuda, Hamza Okello and Vincent Innocent Oling.

Odur Ebii accused the Tom Otim electoral body of illegally soliciting for funds from the public without his approval, insubordination contrary to the LCF 2017 constitution.

At a consultative meeting held on Friday which controversially turned into a council meeting chaired by Speaker Willy Omodo Omodo Kagere and attended by over 100 clan heads, the sitting resolved that the paramount chief should rescind his earlier decision and resinatate the sacked members with immediate effect.

The clan heads also resolved that the election of the new paramount chief to succeed Yosam Odur Ebii should be held on the 1st of March 2024.

Other resolutions read by clerk to council, Benson Taiwo okwano, include the Won nyaci stops interfering with activities of electoral commission and council of elders, the new transition road map issued by Yosam Odur Ebii be followed amongst others.

Speaking during the meeting,the chairperson Lango peace team, Peter Okello Oyo, said the Wonyaci of Lango appointed the electoral commission that was approved by council of owitong and the commission cannot be sacked without the approval of the council of owitong.

The interim speaker Omodo Omodo said the ministry of gender has given them a go ahead to hold the election as long as there is enough quorum.

Omodo said the Wonyaci had also informed the ministry of gender that the election can be held by November this year which is enough reason for the election to go on.

Minister of information at Lango cultural foundation Jacob Ocen distanced himself from the purported council meeting, saying it’s only the speaker Benson Walter Dila Oyuku mandated to convene a council meeting.

Ocen says the planned transition road map issued by his principal will be implemented but not under dueress like the way a section of Owitong who are loyal to Eng.Dr Odongo Okune wants.