In October last year, the High Court in Lira, presided over by Justice Philip Odoki, nullified the election and eventual coronation of Lango Cultural Institution’s Eng. Moses Michael Odongo Okune as Won- Nyaci me Lango (paramount chief). Court declared Mzee Yosam Odur Ebii who heads Lango Cultural Foundation as the legitimate Won-Nyaci before ordering for him to be re-gazette.
The cabinet of Lango Cultural Foundation (LCF)
has resolved to take legal action against the Minister for Gender, Labor and
Social Development for failing to implement a court order.
In October, the High Court in Lira,
presided over by Justice Philip Odoki, nullified the election and eventual
coronation of Lango Cultural Institution’s Eng. Moses Michael Odongo Okune as Won-
Nyaci me Lango (paramount chief). Court declared Mzee Yosam Odur Ebii who heads
Lango Cultural Foundation as the legitimate Won-Nyaci before ordering for him to
be re-gazetted.
But since then, the minister has not taken any
action. While attending a funeral ceremony in Ayer, Kole district, Betty
Amongi said that the Attorney General has advised her against complying
with the court's directive on grounds that the “government is not satisfied with
the ruling.”
Luo bite:
//Cue in: “An amito nii…
Cue out: …ngol ame ongole.”//
Translation: “I want to tell you that as
the Minister I have a letter written to me by the attorney General notifying me
on what to do as a Minister but it is not my responsibility to come to tell you
what the attorney General has said or government’s position is like this. If
you want to know get send some people to my office and I’ll give you the letter
written by the Attorney General which says the Government is not satisfied with the
ruling.”
However, in their first meeting, the newly
appointed cabinet of Lango Cultural Foundation had an extensive discussion on the
issue before resolving to take legal action.
Frederick Ogwal Oyee, the Prime Minister accused
Minister Amongi of intentionally sabotaging the development of the cultural
institution of Lango. He wondered why the government had not appealed the ruling if
they were not satisfied.
//Cue in: “Our own who…
Cue out: … come and answer.”//
He also accused Amongi of halting the monthly payments that which government gives cultural institutions. This he said has affected the operations of the institution.
//Cue in: “We do
understand…
Cue out: … her to
court.”//
Alex George Adupa, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs wondered why the Gender minister
is delaying executing the court order even when there is no order staying the
ruling.
//Cue in: “There is
no…
Cue out: … for her
actions.”//
Amongi advised the two
warring factions to find an amicable solution and present a leader elected by the clan leaders in accordance with
their constitution to the government.
Luo in: “Ka imito uno…
Cue out: … wu kong orucere.”//
Translation: “If you want the confusion in the
cultural institution to end, it is you who are seated there to find a solution
because the Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act, says it is not the Government
to nominate who should be your Won-Nyaci but rather you the clan leaders to
elect who the Won-Nyaci is. If you agree that such and such a person is your
Won-Nyaci then we (the government) agree but if you are confused then we leave you
in your confusion.”
In November last year, the High Court sitting
in Lira dismissed with cost the application for a stay of execution of the
ruling filed by Eng. Odongo Okune, and his associates. They then appealed the
ruling to the Court of Appeal and are still waiting for its outcome.
