KALONGO, AGAGO DISTRICT — The Lango communities of Pader and Agago districts have openly rejected the Lango Cultural Institution, declaring their support for the Lango Cultural Foundation instead.
The rejection dominated the launch of the Lango Community of Kalongo in Agago District on Saturday, where Hamuza Ekwang, the Chairperson of the Lango Community of Pader District, said they would not allow the Lango Cultural Institution to speak in their meeting.
Ekwang expressed happiness with the Lango Cultural Foundation, signaling a clear shift in loyalty away from the Lango Cultural Institution.
Ekwang echoed the sentiment, describing the Lango Cultural Institution as "a grafted mango that cannot last long," adding that it will be very hard for people to support it.
The occasion also saw Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Julius Peter Moto announce that Benjamin Okii is the new Paramount Chief of Lango and is awaiting swearing-in.
Moto revealed that the Electoral Commission of the Lango Cultural Foundation found that Professor Richard Nam, who was nominated alongside Okii, had integrity issues because he did not hand over office when he was removed from the position of Prime Minister of the Lango Cultural Foundation.
"Professor Richard Nam was nominated together with Okii Benjamin, but the Electoral Commission found that he has some issues with integrity. He refused to hand over office when he was removed as Prime Minister of the Lango Cultural Foundation," Moto said.
The Deputy Minister also advised Lango children living in schools to be respectful and exhibit a high level of discipline, urging them to avoid bad things.
Richard Ebong, the Chairperson of the Lango Community of Kalongo, said the community now wants to unite and be one body so that when they face any challenge, it is easier to manage.
Kenneth Ogwal, the Youth Minister in the Lango Cultural Foundation, called on all Lango living in Agago to join the Lango Community of Kalongo so that they can have one voice and move forward. He thanked them for loving the Lango Cultural Foundation.
The launch brought together Lango community leaders from across the region, with rejection of the Lango Cultural Institution and unity under the Lango Cultural Foundation emerging as the dominant themes of the day.
