Lango Paramount Chief Demands Government Compensation for Conflict and Neglect

By Denis Ongora

The Paramount Chief of the Lango Cultural Institution, Dr. Eng. Moses Michael Odongo Okune, has urged the Ugandan government to compensate the people of Lango for their significant contributions and the impacts of insurgencies they endured.

Speaking during Council of Owitong meeting to pay tribute to the late clan leader Ober Ouma Lao Okwer Ngu, Geoffrey Okwir Gunya at Lango cultural center yesterday, Odongo Okune emphasized the need for the government to recognize and compensate Lango people for their sacrifices.

He highlighted the atrocities and struggles faced by the people of Lango, particularly in regions like Amuka, Olwenyo, and Kakosi, and expressed the importance of the government’s acknowledgment of these hardships.

He also called for compensation for the people who were affected by the ongoing conflicts in South Sudan and the southern part of Sudan.

Odongo Okune also voiced concerns over the historical neglect faced by the people of Lango, noting the need for a fair approach to the matter, especially given the continued economic difficulties faced by the region.

In his statement, Odongo Okune noted that the government should prioritize the establishment of savings and credit cooperative organizations (SACCOs) to provide financial support for the people.

He also requested that the government provide long-term assistance, particularly in addressing the region’s lack of adequate infrastructure and development opportunities.

The Paramount Chief further stressed the need for the government to take immediate action to provide adequate compensation to the people of Lango, as well as address other regional challenges such as poor access to healthcare and education.

He cited other countries like India, which had recognized similar issues and offered reparations to their affected populations.

Rev. Can. Capt. Moses Ocweo, Archdeacon of Lira Urban Archdeaconry, spoke in support of Odongo Okune’s request, reiterating the need for the government to acknowledge the suffering of the people of Lango.

He emphasized that the region has long been neglected and that the people deserve to be recognized for their resilience and contributions.

Other leaders, including Richard Enen Okello, the Lira City NRM representative, and Hilda Okwir, echoed similar sentiments, stressing the need for the government to act swiftly and justly.