In the national gazette notice number 724 of 2024 published by the Uganda Gazette on April 19th, 2024, signed by the Minister of Gender, Labor, and Social Development, Betty Amongi Akena, Yosam Odur, the current Lango Paramount Chief (Wonyaci), will abdicate office on November 1st, 2024.
Wonyaci Odur, in a message conveyed by his Principle Private Secretary, George Rashid Opio, the clan chief of Malakwanga, has joyously welcomed the government’s move to degazette him.
“This will now pave the way for our transitional plans and schedules. We can now roll out the electoral road map for the new Paramount Chief, which we had delayed pending government response to our request,” said Awitong Opio.
According to Opio, degazetting the reigning Lango Traditional leader reflects government clearance and commitment to permit Odur and his Cabinet to now embark on the electoral processes of the next leader in a more constitutional manner.
Odur had previously written to the government, declaring interest in stepping down from office in November to pave the way for the election of New Wonyaci, his successor, but recently, a section of clan heads opposed to his administration elected Eng. Dr. Okune as the incoming Wonyaci.
To a section of great legal minds, degazetting Odur now means he is legally no longer the paramount chief of Lango and no longer eligible for any benefits from the government, including monthly financial remittances, and in case he dies, he risks not being granted state or official burial.
They further questioned Minister Amongi’s motive to degazette Odur before November 1st, 2024, which he had clearly stated as the day on which he would be stepping down from office.
Accordingly, the legal experts contend that Minister Amongi should have delayed the decision until the above date to declare the position of Lango Paramount Chief vacant, adding that degazetting Odur at this time further implies that he has been struck off the list of current traditional leaders in the country.
Odur has been the Lango Paramount Chief since 2003, and since 2009, he has been facing internal wrangles from a section of clan leaders who accused him of working and mobilizing for the regime.
His trouble escalated in 2012 when the majority of Owitong (clan leaders) teamed up with some legislators against his administration during the preparation for the Lango 2012 Conference held at UTC Lira, in which President Museveni was the chief guest. The faction didn’t want Museveni to be invited to the event.
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