Minister Amongi dispatches officer to observe election of new Lango Chief
By Denish Ongora and Bonny Otim Ogwal (editor@vol.co.ug)
Lira City.
The Ministry of gender, labor and social development has dispatched a senior staff as its representative in the next council of Lango clan heads (Owitong) meeting to act as an observer of how the supreme body will exercise their power to resolve the disputes during this transition period.
In a letter dated 21st February 2024 signed by the Minister of Gender, labor and social development Betty Amongi Akena to the Chairperson of the Lango Cultural Foundation Electoral Commission and copied to various government stakeholders, the team headed by Okello Tom will also be interested in determining the position of majority of the clan leaders to help them resolve all the letters reporting contradictory positions issues regarding elections of the new paramount chief.
In 2023 October, the reigning Lango Paramount Chief Yosam Odur Ebii informed the Ministry of gender about his planned abdication from office in November 2024 and consequently appointed the electoral commission headed by Tom Otim which was approved by the council of Owitong to organize election for his successor.
Otim and his team which included Beatrice Catherine Amongi Lagada, Obong Acuda, Paul Ben Ogwete Otim, Vincent Oling,Hamza Okello and others who rolled out a road map and set 1st march for the election of Odur’s successor were unceremoniously sacked from office by Odur Ebii accusing them of acting illegally on certain matters.
To address the challenge, a section of clan leaders under the leadership of Peter Okello Oyoo called for a consultative meeting which turned into a council meeting and resolved that the embattled Tom Otim led electoral commission should go ahead and organize the elections on the 1st of March 2024.
Amongi in her letter,acknowledges receiving a letter from Won Nyaci notifying her of various disputes regarding the procedures of electing his successor but says under the tradional or cultural leaders act 2011, the power to resolve all issues raised by Won Nyaci is vested on the clan leaders, or council of elders or a representative body elected by the community.
The gender minister also Oyam County South MP has also okayed the abdication of Yosam Odur Ebii from office by 1st November 2024 but noted that any person that shall be elected, will assume office after 1st of November 2024 depending on the date of publication of New Won Nyaci in the gazzate.
Amongi has also instructed the Resident City Commissioner of Lira Lawrence Egole to provide security for the meeting of clan leaders which is anchored under section 16 of the Institution of Traditional or cultural Leaders act 2011
Addressing the Media Wednessday evening,Pedi-Wibye-Acel clan leader, Willy Omodo Omodo who was elected interim speaker for the council of Owitong maintained that the election of Wonyaci will go on, on 1/03/2014, much as they will respect the fact that Odur Ebii will leave office by 1/11/2024.
According to Omodo, the council of Owitong will sit on Monday 26 March 2024.
Benson Taiwo interim clerk to council of Lango cultural institution said they will not force someone into office before the Won Nyaci leaves.
Attempt to get comments from the substantive speaker of Lango Cultural Foundation Speaker Benson Dilla Oyuku was futile by press time as his known phone number was unavailable.
