Celebration of a Unifier: How Won Nyaci Odongo Okune is Restoring Lango Pride.
BY OKIDI PATRICK
Lira city, Uganda-Lango chiefdom, under the steady leadership of His Highness Eng. Dr. Michael Moses Odongo Okune, is healing, uniting, and reclaiming its place at Uganda’s cultural development.
Two years after his coronation as Won Nyaci me Lango, Eng. Dr. Odongo Okune convened what many described as the largest cultural gathering Lango has seen in recent years with representatives of 175 clans.
However, several cultural leaders from Teso, Acholi, Buruuli and Adhola were recognised for attending the second anniversary of Won Nyaci me Lango.
The chief guest, was the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Henry Tumukunde, could not hide his admiration as he hailed Okune’s mobilisation power.
Speaking before the gathering of thousands at Lira City- Mayor’s Garsen Tumukunde commended the Lango cultural institution for bringing together 175 clans, describing their presence as a sign of growing unity that Lango has long yearned for.
In his wonderful speech he said “The fact that traditional leaders can mobilise people without necessarily depending on government support shows cultural institutions are fulfilling their original purpose,” Minister Tumukunde said.
He called upon those who still hold divergent views to embrace dialogue and join the unity train that Okune is steering, saying his office remains open to support reconciliation efforts.
It was an endorsement of the direction Okune has taken — placing Lango not in opposition, but at the centre of national conversation of the current NRM government innpower.
HH Dr. Eng Okune is a leader who speaks development, not just culture.
Where Okune has distinguished himself from the purely ceremonial, is noted in his brilliant use of the cultural platform to lobby for development.
At the anniversary, the Won Nyaci of Lango used the occasion to push government’s unfinished business in Lango: the Lango cultural palace and the proposed Lira Airport.
Okune revealed that construction of the palace, procured through the Office of the Prime Minister, stalled after a contractor received an advance payment and abandoned the project. The absence of a palace, he said, has affected the institution’s ability to host dignitaries and conduct cultural functions with dignity.
His solution was pragmatic, not confrontational. He appealed to government to consider the UPDF Engineering Brigade to undertake the construction, noting that the Office of the Prime Minister had indicated funds could be available in this financial year.
On Lira Airport, Okune reported progress where many thought there was none. He said the institution has helped address land-related disputes that delayed the project, and appealed to Tumukunde to engage the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure works begin before the end of December 2026.
He thanked President Museveni for maintaining peace, acknowledged challenges like cattle rustling, and commended government for the Akii-Bua Stadium — balancing gratitude with honest advocacy.
Other kings bow to Lango’s steady rise
The respect Okune commands among fellow traditional leaders was on display.
The Isabarongo of Buruuli, His Royal Highness Mwatyansozi Mwogezi Constantine Butamanya, described Lango people as the roots of the institution and said the Kings’ Forum was inspired by the need for traditional leaders to promote Pan-Africanism and unity. He offered 50 scholarships for Lango students — a direct dividend of Okune’s networking.
The Paramount Chief of Teso, His Highness Papa Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot Etomeileng, called unity a source of strength and urged Lango to maintain the cohesion being demonstrated under Okune.
Rwot David Onen Acana II, the Paramount Chief of Ker Kwaro Acholi, said he hoped the anniversary would inspire hope, love and peace. Prime Minister Richard Josel Obbo, representing the Kwar Adhola Kingdom, said the presence of different cultural leaders showed solidarity with Lango and the importance of working beyond boundaries.
The second anniversary was more than dance and speeches. It was a reflection of two years in which Eng. Dr. Michael Moses Odongo Okune has slowly but surely restored credibility to the Won Nyaci institution — bringing clans together, earning government’s ear, and turning culture into a platform for development lobbying.
His Highness Dr.Eng Moses Okune is emerging not just as a cultural head, but as a unifier, a development advocate, and a bridge between Lango and the nation.
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