Lango chief calls for calm

Following the unfortunate incident that happened on July 14, in Otuke District, in Lango, where one person died, the leadership of Lango Cultural Institution have come up with a statement. Below it is in full.

Te Kwaro me Lango (Lango traditional leadership) under the leadership of Won Deo Won Kwogo Won Kuc Won Nyaci of Lango, Adwong Yosam Odur Ebii extends sincere heartfelt condolence to Atekere (Clan) of Atek Okwerowee upon the death of their member Alfred Oluge (Deputy Awitong) which occurred on Saturday, July 14, as a result of injuries sustained during clashes over land in Atira.

Since that fateful Saturday, there have been a lot of reckless talks and speculations on radios by some quarters in Lango about this unfortunate incident.

These utterances are thoughtless falsehoods, which serve only to incite public anger, fuel hatred especially for Te Kwaro leaders and heighten anxiety amongst the population.

In truth, till today Te Kwaro Lango has not received any formal report or request for intervention on the Atira land confl ict from Atekere Atek Okwerowee or from any local leaders as procedures and practice would demand.

Instead, the institution got unverifi ed information that a certain MP from Otuke had written to the President assuring His Excellency of availability of land in Atira suitable for cattle rearing.

Later in a meeting of the locals to discuss the land issue, participants became unruly and the meeting was called off amidst threats of violence.

In all these endeavours, no one thought it wise to engage with and involve Te Kwaro Lango at any stage. The institution was completely ignored.

Te Kwaro Lango shall not portion blame and pass judgment but shall now actively work with all stakeholders to find a lasting solution.

As an institution, it has adequate structures and tools for dealing with land conflicts rightfully brought to its attention.

These include its ministry of lands, Rwot Kila (chief of land) within every clan and a land management handbook prepared with support of LEMU (Land and Equity Movement of Uganda).

Courts of law have, time and again, referred to these institutions diffi cult land cases and thereafter respected and upheld decisions taken. 

In respect of Atira, where death has now occurred, Te Kwaro Lango immediate line of action includes:

Appeal to the community of Atira, Otuke and the entire Lango to remain calm and peaceful despite what happened and avoid careless and loose talk that may further infl ame the situation.

Request to clan leaders with people on the subject land especially those of Atek Okwerowee to assemble all their members to obtain their collective position on availability/non-availability of land to avail to H.E. The President for cattle rearing. The report bearing signatures of all bonafi de community members should reach Te Kwaro Lango as soon as possible for subsequent action.

Exhorts all Lango political leaders at various levels to momentarily disengage from the presently infl amed situation in Atira and forward whatever available reports they may have of their prior involvements/ findings to Te Kwaro Lango.

Advises H.E. the President that if at all H.E’s offi ce has received aletter from any Lango MP assuring of availability of land in Atira for cattle stocking, kindly put it on hold to allow Te Kwaro Lango time to investigate and consult before reverting to Your Excellency.

Put it to the Government and to security agencies to immediately apprehend and produce before courts of law all persons who committed acts of crime in the Atira that led to this painful death.

Everything should be done to ensure that the family of the late Alfed Oluge receives justice and fair compensation for the bereavement.

Te Kwaro Lango further appeals to all the Langi to uphold unity as one people through their cherished clan structures and to always refer to clan leaders issues of land conflict to avoid a repeat scenario.

Also note that the much heralded Lango Conference 2012 scheduled for

December 2012 in Lira shall provide opportunity for exploring equitable options for sharing the ever limited land resources amongst the people.

We say all these for kuc (peace), yotkom (good health) and nyodo (birth fertility).

The statement was co-authored by Awitong Eng. Dr. Michael M. Odongo Awitim, Te Kwaro Lango