Lira City, Uganda: Anthony Olobo Odur, son of the late Lango Paramount Chief Yosam Odur, has appealed for reconciliation within the Lango cultural leadership, urging the current cultural head, Eng. Moses Michael Odongo Okune, to withdraw a criminal case pending before court.
Olobo Odur made the appeal while appearing on Radio Unity in Lira City, saying reconciliation messages delivered during a recent unity meeting at the Lango Cultural Centre should be backed by concrete actions.
“If Dr. Eng. Odongo Okune is sincere about forgiveness, he should withdraw the case against me. I am due to appear in court on March 11,” Olobo Odur said during the live broadcast.
Olobo Odur said the ongoing court case was preventing him from peacefully mourning his father, the former Won Nyaci. “There were conflicts involving my father and he was taken to court. He has since passed on. I appeal to Odongo to forgive me so that I may mourn my father in peace,” he said.
He added that the message of unity and reconciliation delivered during the recent cultural gathering had raised expectations among the Lango community that longstanding disputes could be resolved through dialogue.
“If we are talking about unity and forgiveness as leaders in Lango, then we must demonstrate it in practice,” he said.
Cultural Institution Clarifies Legal Process
However, Patrick Okwir, spokesperson of the Lango Cultural Institution, clarified that the matter before court is criminal in nature and is being prosecuted by the state. “The Won Nyaci last week called for unity, reconciliation and forgiveness among the people of Lango,” Okwir said.
He explained that while the cultural leader had expressed willingness to reconcile with those he has disagreements with, the legal process must be respected.
“The case before court is a criminal matter that allegedly affected the Won Nyaci’s family. It is being prosecuted by the state, and the Won Nyaci appears as a witness,” he said.
According to Okwir, any decision regarding the case would have to follow the proper legal procedures. “Because it is a criminal matter, it cannot simply be withdrawn the way people assume. Consultations and legal procedures must be followed,” he added.
Despite the legal complexities, cultural elders have expressed readiness to facilitate dialogue between the two parties.
Awitong George Ojwang Opota said elders within the institution were willing to help mediate. “As Awitong, we are ready to facilitate dialogue. The doors for reconciliation remain open,” he said.
During the programme, Olobo Odur initially insisted that the case should first be withdrawn before any talks. “I believe the first step should be withdrawing the case so that we can talk freely,” he said.
However, after further discussions on air, he indicated willingness to attend mediation if organized. “If a meeting is arranged in good faith, I will attend so that we find a way forward,” Olobo Odur said.
Olobo Odur is expected to appear in court on March 11, even as discussions continue on possible mediation aimed at easing tensions and promoting unity within the Lango cultural leadership.
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