LIRA, UGANDA — The High Court of Uganda sitting in Lira has issued an interim injunction blocking fresh elections for the leadership of the Okii Raki Okwero Ocobo Clan, prompting William Onyanga, legal advisor to clan head Emmy Joe Odongo and Minister of Education, to declare that "these people were organizing illegal elections and there will be no election tomorrow, Saturday.”
In Miscellaneous Application No. 96 of 2026, arising from Miscellaneous Application No. 95 of 2026 and Civil Suit No. 26 of 2026, Hon. Lady Justice Sarah Birungi Kalibbala, Ag. Judge, issued an administrative ex parte interim order of injunction on Friday, September 11, 2026.
The order restrains respondents Alunga Shaban and Ogwal Alfred, their agents, and persons acting under them from:
· Holding out as the Clan Head (Awitong) of Okii Raki Okwero Ocobo Clan
· Holding out as the Chairperson Electoral Commission of Okii Raki Okwero Ocobo
· Conducting any fresh elections for the position of Clan Head or any other elective position in the clan leadership structure
The injunction remains in force until the final disposal of the application for interim injunction.
The matter was heard ex parte in the presence of Counsel Emmanuel Egaru Omiat and Counsel Okuny Innocent for the applicants, Odongo Emmy Joe and Onyanga William. Both the applicants and respondents were absent.
The application for interim injunction will be heard inter partes on September 17, 2026, at 10:00 AM. The applicants have been directed to serve the respondents with the court order and the application, and to file proof of effective service.
The order was drawn and filed by M/S Egaru & Co Advocates, Plot 7 Olwol Road, Elong Jani Junction, P.O. Box 332163, Lira.
Despite the court order, respondent Alfred Ogwal told this reporter that they have not received the letter and insisted they will continue with the election.
"We have not received any letter, and we will continue with the election," Ogwal said.
Respondent Reportedly Flees Serving Team
Unconfirmed reports indicate that one of the respondents sped off in his vehicle upon seeing the team that was supposed to serve him with the court order, disappearing in Boke.
Speaking to this reporter, William Onyanga, who is both the legal advisor to Odongo Emmy Joe and the clan's Minister of Education, condemned the planned elections as illegal and warned that they will not proceed.
"These people are organizing illegal elections," Onyanga said. "The court has issued an order, and there will be no election tomorrow, Saturday."
He called on clan members to respect the court's directive and await the hearing scheduled for September 17.
The standoff has created tension in the Okii Raki Okwero Ocobo Clan, with supporters of both camps awaiting the next development. The court's intervention follows months of dispute over the clan's leadership and electoral process.
The matter returns to court on September 17, 2026, when both parties are expected to present their arguments before Justice Kalibbala.
