The head of the Okar Omwono Clan, Eng. Dr. Michael Moses Odongo Okune, has been elected the new Won Nyaci (Paramount Chief) of the Lango tribal group.
Dr. Odongo, the former Pioneer Executive Director of the Uganda National Road Fund, was declared the winner of an election conducted by the clan heads at the Akii Bua Memorial Stadium in Lira City.
During the election chaired by Tom Otim, over 130 out of 149 clan chiefs in Lango turned in person and attracted a total of 1858 voters drawn from different clans that had each presented a total of 15 voters.
Three nominees, including Dr. Okune, Dr. Dan Okello, the head of the Guna clan, and Dr. Richard Nam, were nominated by the clan chiefs to contest to become the successor of His Highness Yosam Odur, whose term is ending in November 2024.
Dr. Okune polled 1692 votes, representing some 91.1% of the total votes, while Dr. Dan Okello received 139 votes, or 7.5%.
“A total of 1858 votes were cast out of the expected 2550 votes, representing 72.8%,” said Mr. Otim, the chairperson of the Electoral Commission of the Lango Cultural Council.
He said the new Paramount Chief will be sworn into office sometime in November, adding that the electoral result will be submitted to the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development.
Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, the Minister of Health, has congratulated the new Paramount Chief and called for peace and stability among the people of Lango.
Lawrence Egole, the Lira Resident City Commissioner, applauded the clan leaders for conducting a peaceful election of New Won Nyaci and urged them to ensure a uniting leadership for all.
In his maiden speech, Dr. Odongo called for unity, reconciliation, and forgiveness among everyone.
Bishop Tom Ibrahim Okello called for more uniting leadership from the new leader.
The incumbent Lango Paramount Chief Yosam Odur is expected to retire from office in November this year.
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