High Court blocks coronation of new Lango Paramount Chief

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LIRA - In a dramatic turn of events, the Lira High Court has annulled the March 1, 2024, election of Eng. Moses Michael Odongo Okune and blocked his scheduled coronation as the Paramount Chief of Lango.

In a detailed 62-page ruling delivered via email on Thursday evening, Justice Phillip Odoki ordered the Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development to "de-gazette" Eng. Odongo Okune, declaring that His Highness Yosum Odur Ebii remains the legitimate Paramount Chief of Lango.

The ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed by Obia Denis Acila and Benjamin Okii, who contested the legality of Odongo Okune's election. The plaintiffs argued that the election was unlawful, conducted without a formal vacancy, and Eng. Odongo was ineligible to run due to his employment as a civil servant.

Key Arguments from the Plaintiffs

The plaintiffs argued that they, as members of the Lango Cultural Institution, had a vested interest in the unlawful conduct of the Paramount Chief’s election. They alleged that the defendants, including Odongo Okune, improperly organized and executed the March 1 election in violation of existing laws and cultural protocol.

The plaintiffs contended that no vacancy was declared for the position of Paramount Chief and that Eng. Odongo was ineligible as he was serving as a Commissioner within the Ministry of Works and Transport. They also claimed that Ojwang and Omodo falsely represented themselves as Prime Minister and Speaker of the institution and that Otim, Okello, and Oling illegitimately acted as the institution’s electoral commission, conducting an election without legal authority.

Furthermore, the plaintiffs argued that these defendants disregarded the existing authority of Paramount Chief Yosum Odur Ebii.

In their appeal, the plaintiffs sought:

A declaration nullifying Eng. Odongo's election as Paramount Chief of Lango.

An order preventing Otim, Okello, and Oling from holding themselves out as members of the institution’s Electoral Commission.

A permanent injunction to prevent any installation rituals for Eng. Odongo.

An order to "de-gazette" Eng. Odongo and reinstate Yosum Odur Ebii as the official Paramount Chief.

General damages and costs associated with the case.

Defendants Counterclaim

The defendants, including Eng. Odongo, denied these allegations, asserting that the election was conducted legitimately by Otim, Okello, and Oling, who were appointed by the council of clan heads (Owitong) to organize the election.

They further claimed that Paramount Chief Yosum Odur Ebii had confirmed his abdication effective November 1, 2024, thereby justifying the election.

The defendants also filed a counterclaim against the plaintiffs, challenging a subsequent election held by the plaintiffs, in which Dickson Ogwang Okul was controversially elected as a parallel Paramount Chief. They argued that this election did not adhere to established protocols and sought a permanent injunction to prevent further parallel elections.

Findings and Judgment

Justice Odoki found that both Eng. Odongo’s March election and Ogwang Okul’s parallel election violated procedural laws and the 2017 Lango Cultural Foundation Constitution. The judge declared that:

Eng. Odongo’s election as Paramount Chief was unlawful.

Otim, Okello, and Oling were not legally appointed to serve as the institution’s Electoral Commission.

Omodo’s position as “interim speaker” had no basis in Lango law.

Both the election of Eng. Odongo and that of Ogwang Okul are null and void.

The court issued the following orders:

Nullification of Eng. Odongo’s election as Paramount Chief of Lango.

Prohibition on Otim, Okello, and Oling from acting as the institution’s Electoral Commission.

Permanent injunctions to prevent installation rituals for both Eng. Odongo and Ogwang Okul.

De-gazetting of Eng. Odongo and re-gazetting of Yosum Odur Ebii as the legitimate Paramount Chief.

Prohibition on any rituals or functions by Dickson Ogwang Okul as Paramount Chief.

In response to calls for general damages and legal costs, Justice Odoki noted that neither party was entitled to damages due to their respective violations of cultural law. "Each party shall bear their own costs,” he ordered, emphasizing the decision's focus on cultural integrity and legal compliance.

Implications

The court’s decision has profound implications for the Lango community and its leadership. The long-running conflict in the institution will continue and is expected to increase.

The Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development is now tasked with executing the court's directive, re-gazetting Yosum Odur Ebii and restoring his authority over the Lango institution.

The ruling has devastated the side of Eng Odongo Okune, who was scheduled to be coroneted on Saturday with many invited guests already in the country.

It comes as tents were already being erected at rthe Mayors Garden and the Cultural Centre in preparation for the coronation fete with Odongo already being protected by Royal Guards from the UPDF.

Reaction from parties

Dickson Ogwang Okul issued a voice recording on social media welcoming the ruling

“A moment for victory, a time for unity, celebrating justice for the people of Lango,’ Ogwang noted. He said the verdict resonated with the Lango people.