Apac, Uganda: The Paramount Chief of Lango, Eng Michael Odongo Okune, has appealed for calm, reconciliation, and acceptance in the aftermath of the recently concluded elections, urging leaders and supporters to place regional unity above political rivalry.
Addressing journalists at his ancestral residence in Ibuje Town Council, Apac District, on Saturday, Odongo Okune called on religious, cultural, and political leaders to exercise restraint and moral leadership, warning that prolonged disputes risk fracturing the social fabric of the Lango sub-region.
“Elections are a process, not a war,” he said. “Once the people have spoken, leaders must respect the outcome and guide their supporters toward peace and healing.”
Consoling the Affected, Thanking the People
The cultural leader expressed sympathy to families and individuals affected during the electoral period, urging churches, mosques, and traditional institutions to intensify community outreach and consolation.
“There are families grieving and communities still tense,” Odongo Okune noted. “Religious and cultural leaders must move closer to the people, offering comfort and reminding them that no political victory is worth the loss of life or unity.”
He also commended the Lango electorate for what he described as an impressive turnout, saying it reflected growing democratic awareness in the region. “Our people turned up in large numbers. That alone shows maturity and commitment to democracy. I thank them for choosing participation over apathy,” he said.
Accepting Loss as a Mark of Leadership
In a pointed message to unsuccessful candidates, the Paramount Chief urged peaceful acceptance of results, emphasising that leadership extends beyond winning office.
“Leadership is tested most when one loses,” he said. “Accepting results peacefully is not weakness; it is responsibility.”
His call was echoed by senior cultural leaders present, who warned against allowing political competition to inflame clan and community divisions.
Richard Ogwang Odyero, Clan Leader of the Ogora Clan, said cultural institutions are mobilising to restore harmony at grassroots level. “Politics divided opinions, but culture must unite the people,” Odyero said, adding that dialogue and mediation would be prioritised to prevent lingering hostilities.
R. S. Tego, State Minister for Sports under the Lango Cultural Institution, cautioned that post-election conduct by leaders directly influences the youth. “The youth learn from what leaders do after elections. If leaders reject results and spread anger, that anger is inherited by the next generation,” he said, noting that cultural and sporting activities would be used as platforms for reconciliation.
Meanwhile, Charles Ogang, Clan Leader of Arak Oyakori, warned that unresolved political bitterness could undermine long-term cohesion. “Bitterness outlives elections and destroys relationships. Leadership is service, not position,” he said, praising Odongo Okune’s intervention as timely.
Observers say the united stance by the Lango Cultural Institution underscores the growing role of traditional leadership in maintaining peace during and after electoral cycles, particularly in rural communities where cultural influence remains strong.
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