LANGO CULTURAL INSTITUTION EXTENDS OLIVE BRANCH TO BENJAMIN OKII, CALLS FOR DIALOGUE INSTEAD OF DIVISION

By Ceasar Okello -Lira / 05/11/2026

The Lango Cultural Institution has extended an olive branch to Benjamin Okii Bennett and his associates, expressing its readiness to welcome them for dialogue in the interest of peace, unity and development, rather than allowing unnecessary disagreements to escalate into further divisions within the Lango community.

Addressing the media at his office at the Lango Cultural Centre, the Institution’s Speaker, Willy Omodo Omodo, reaffirmed the commitment of His Royal Highness, Dr Eng. Moses Michael Odongo Okune, to serving his subjects and restoring the lost glory of the Lango Cultural Institution.

Omodo Omodo highlighted some of the achievements recently registered under Wonyaci Okune’s leadership, including a charity run through which 25 mobility wheelchairs were secured for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), while another 20 wheelchairs were provided by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.

He noted that HRH Odongo Okune remains committed to restoring Lango’s past glory through the promotion of peace, unity and development, as well as fighting household poverty through wealth creation initiatives, particularly the Four-Acre Model.

The Speaker also commended the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) over what he described as its rejection of a petition by Benjamin Okii and his associates seeking an investigation into the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development over its refusal to degazette Dr Odongo Okune.

According to Omodo Omodo, the Paramount Chief remains open to welcoming the opposing group for dialogue, emphasising that the Institution’s leadership places peace, unity and peaceful coexistence above personal and cultural differences.

He stressed that Lango does not need further confusion or division but rather constructive engagement and collective participation in developmental activities that can transform the lives of its people.

Omodo Omodo further advised Benjamin Okii and his team to exercise patience and await the appropriate decision of the Court of Appeal, instead of engaging in actions that could further fuel divisions within the cultural institution.

However, Emmanuel Egaru of Egaru and Company Advocates has disputed claims that the IGG rejected the Lango Cultural Foundation’s petition seeking an investigation into alleged mismanagement of authority by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.

According to Egaru, Monday’s meeting between the IGG and the Ministry of Gender was successful. He questioned how the matter could allegedly have been closed in August, as indicated in the disputed letter, when the IGG proceeded to entertain Monday’s meeting.

Egaru explained that during the meeting, the Minister of Gender requested a legal opinion from the IGG to guide the Ministry on the appropriate way forward, raising questions about the authenticity and interpretation of the alleged letter.

The leadership dispute follows the recent declaration of Benjamin Okii Bennett as Wonyaci of the defunct Lango Cultural Foundation, replacing the late Yosam Odur Ebii.

However, his declaration has attracted opposition from sections of the Lango community, with some cultural leaders and stakeholders questioning his legitimacy motive behind his continuous Confusion.

The 2nd Coronation anniversary Celebrations that was held on Monday and attracted thousands of people including other Kings and Cultural leaders across the Country is a clear testimony that Paramount Chief Dr Eng Moses Micheal Odongo Okune is doing what is expected of a leader.