By our reporter
The Lango Cultural Centre grounds were plunged into chaos on Sunday when a meeting called by the President’s office to address regional issues spiraled into disorder, forcing police intervention to restore calm. The gathering, which was meant to foster dialogue between cultural leaders, MPs, and Resident District Commissioners, descended into mayhem, exposing deep divisions within the Lango traditional leadership.
The event, initially intended as a constructive discussion, turned violent when Ambassador Dickson Ogwang Okul, a former Uganda envoy to the US, drew a pistol in the face of escalating tensions. The situation quickly spiraled out of control as cultural leaders grew furious with Ogwang’s presence and confronted him directly.
The objections to Ogwang’s attendance were rooted in his controversial role in the recent Lango Paramount Chief election, which had been annulled by the Lira High Court. His participation in the meeting was seen by some as an attempt to undermine the court’s ruling and the current leadership structure.
As the gathering grew increasingly heated, a group of angry leaders charged towards Ogwang, demanding that he be disarmed. The situation intensified when police attempted to confiscate the weapon, leading to a violent scuffle. Leaders were seen throwing punches at Ogwang, while officers struggled to disarm him. After a tense standoff, the police managed to wrest the pistol from Ogwang’s grasp and escorted him out of the venue.
George Abdul, the dean of Resident District Commissioners, explained that the meeting was intended for cultural leaders not involved in the recent leadership disputes. “We deliberately invited those in line with the court’s decision to avoid any further conflicts,” Abdul said. He added that Ogwang’s appearance was controversial, particularly since he had recently been involved in the election for the Lango Paramount Chief, which had been ruled invalid.
Judith Alyek, Chairperson of the Lango Parliamentary Group, expressed disappointment over the disturbance. “We never expected any of those involved in the leadership election to attend, especially after the court ruling,” she said.
The Lango community has been grappling with leadership struggles in recent years, with key positions often at the heart of bitter disputes. The latest incident is a stark reminder of the volatile nature of traditional power struggles in the region.
