Lango needs sh2.8b for paramount chief coronation

It's crunch time for the Lango Cultural Institution as it seeks sh2.8 billion to facilitate the coronation of its newly elected paramount chief scheduled for this November.

Eng. Dr. Michael Odongo Okune is set to be installed as the Won Nyaci (paramount chief) following his election in March this year.

He is set to replace Yosam Odur Ebii.

Raising the needed funds for his coronation will require all hands on deck. The coronation committee says so far, not more than sh5m has been collected.

For now, the committee chaired by Denis Hamson Obua, who is also the Government Chief Whip as well as Ajuri county MP, has levied on each of the over 100 Lango clans sh1m to facilitate the function.

A meeting on Friday brought together hundreds of clan leaders (Owitong), Council of Elders and the general public at the Lango Cultural Centre at Senior Quarters.

Obua said that to ensure a successful coronation, they will begin holding meetings on a monthly basis as resource mobilization also goes on.

He said they plan to meet Vice-President Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and other government leaders to help support the huge coronation budget.

Kole Woman MP Judith Alyek, who doubles as the chairperson of the Lango Parliamentary Group, said all the MPs from Lango will be tasked with contributing financial resources to support the coronation.

Alyek said that as the Lango Parliamentary Group, they are happy with the election of a new paramount chief. 

They believe this will usher in much-needed peace in Lango and among the parliamentarians themselves.

According to Alyek, the existence of two parallel paramount chiefs in the past created disunity and confusion that she said greatly affected development within Lango.

“As Lango parliamentarians, we pledged full support to the coronation of the new paramount chief since his enthronement will bring to an end the cultural leadership wrangles."

Maxuel Akora, the vice-chairperson of the coronation committee, said the budget of sh2.8b will be spent on publications and documentation, refreshments, and acquisition of the cultural regalia, among other things.  

Akora, who is also the Maruzi county MP, said there will be activities in the buildup to coronation day, including cultural exhibitions and a football tournament.

He said guests from the country and abroad will be invited to the coronation that is expected to be graced by President Yoweri Museveni in Lira City.

Geoffrey Etwop, the head of the Ober clan, said the budget may be very huge but that if all members of the Lango community come together and each contributes resources, they will be able to raise the required funds.