Lira, (UG):- The High Court in Lira City has dismissed with cost an application for a stay of execution of orders of a recent court ruling delivered by Justice Philip Odoki on the 31st October 2024 filed by engineer Dr Michael Moses Odongo Okune, Willy Omodo Omodo and George Ojwang Opota
On the 31st of October this year, Justice Philip Odoki in his ruling nullified the election of engineer Odongo Okune and Ambassador Dickson Ogwang Okul as Lango Paramount Chief and issued a permanent injunction against the duo barring them from going ahead with their coronation in the position of Lango paramount chief.
Justice Odoi also directed the Minister of Gender, Betty. Amongi Akena to de-gazette engineer Odongo Okune and then re-gazette Yusam Odur as Lango paramount chief.
While delivering his Friday ruling on miscellaneous application No.126 of 24 seeking an order to stay execution of the judgment and orders in the high court silver suit No. 10 of 24 pending hearing and final determination of the silver appeal No. 922 of 24 before the court of appeal filed by Odongo Okune and others, Justice Philip Odoki dismissed the matter with cost to the respondent’s
The court also stated that Odongo Okune and others had not used tangible evidence that would warrant a stay of execution of the orders.
Justice Odoki said if the court goes on to stay the execution of these orders it would allow both Odongo Okune and Ogwng Okul to continue posing as Lango paramount chiefs, which would in the long run promote confusion in the Lango sub-region.
About Minister Amongi’s argument that Yusam Odur Ebii could not be gazetted since the institution yet is non-existent and that Odur Yusam had already abdicated office voluntarily, Justice Odoki said the minister is abusing the court’s order and this could lead to her being sued.
Adam Makmot Kibwnga the lead lawyer representing Dr. Eng. Michael Odongo Okune said he will advise his client accordingly after digesting the ruling. “Well, of course, we will still study the ruling and see what is there for us and what we can do. But right now it’s still too early to make any decision. I just received the ruling this evening. So, let us digest it and see what is inside. But we respect the ruling, we shall also advise our client accordingly,” Makmot said.
Benjamin Okii, one of the clan heads in Lango who instituted a civil suit against Eng. Odongo Okune, Ojwang Opota, Willy Omodo- Omodo and others welcomed the ruling and said it should now bring Lango together.
Since 2017, Two individuals have been claiming rights over the Lango paramount chief (Won Nyaci) in a rivalry. What exists now are two separate institutions; the Lango Cultural Foundation of Odur and the Lango Cultural Institution (aka Te Kwaro Lango) of Odongo. Several Meditations over this rivalling have also failed to bear fruit.
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