By Okidi Patrick
LIRA, UGANDA – November 11, 2025 – Ambassador Dickson Ogwang Okul, Awitong (Clan Head) of the Atekere Pala Ocol clan, has appealed to the people of Lango to unite for a peaceful, respectful, and dignified send-off for their fallen Paramount Chief, His Highness Yosam Odur Ebii. The call, made in a statement issued on November 10, 2025, comes as the Lango cultural institution mourns the passing of its revered leader.
Ambassador Ogwang Okul, who also served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Won Nyaci Yosam Ebii’s Government, described the late paramount chief as “more than a cultural leader.” He stated, “Yosam Odur Ebii was an anchor of our history, a repository of our tradition, and a steadfast symbol of Lango resilience for decades.”
He urged all Lango people, “regardless of clan, political affiliation, or past disagreement, to stand together in solemn respect. This is a time for unity, not division. We must honour his memory by demonstrating the peace and solidarity that he, in his own way, strived for.”
Recalling his privilege of serving His Highness, Ambassador Ogwang Okul emphasized Won Nyaci Yosam Ebii’s unwavering dedication to the Lango people. He highlighted Ebii’s legacy as being “not just by his years in service, but by his commitment to preserving the cultural fabric of our land and for joining the NRM government and His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in the fight to restore peace, security and stability in our land.”
Acknowledging the sensitivity surrounding the succession of the Lango Cultural Foundation (LCF), Ambassador Ogwang Okul noted that the timing of Paramount chief Odur Ebii’s passing is “intertwined with the court of appeal mention hearing.” As a lawyer, he stressed the importance of respecting constitutional and legal processes, stating, “The death of the cultural leader, by necessity, introduces a new factor into the legal proceedings. I am confident that the esteemed court of appeal and all parties involved will, in due course, take the appropriate judicial notice and apply the law to the new facts guiding the people of Lango forward constitutionally and legally.”
He reiterated that his “immediate focus is not on succession, but on ensuring a peaceful, respectful, and dignified send-off for our Won Nyaci.” Ambassador Ogwang Okul urged all leaders to “exercise restraint and allow the legal and traditional process to proceed without external interference or inflammatory rhetoric,” emphasizing that the next steps must be guided by the LCF constitution and the laws of Uganda.
The statement concluded with a prayer for the soul of His Highness Mzee Yosam Odur Ebii to “rest in eternal peace,” and a plea for “wisdom and unity for the entire Lango Nation as we navigate this period of grief and transition.”
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