In a historic announcement, the revered Paramount Chief of Lango Cultural Foundation (LCF), Yosam Odur Ebii, has declared his decision to step down from his position, ending his two-decade-long tenure in December 2024. The announcement came through a detailed transition roadmap released by Odur from his Teboke residence on October 10, 2024.
Odur, 94, was installed in the paramount chief role in 2003 after a historic election by the council of Clan heads (Owitong) in Apac district. During his time in office, he has been a stalwart leader, guiding the Lango community through various challenges and triumphs.
The transition plan, meticulously designed by Odur, aims to ensure a seamless transfer of leadership within the Lango cultural community. The paramount chief expressed his confidence that this framework will pave the way for a smooth transition, fostering continuity and stability within the Lango cultural leadership.
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In a telephone interview with Voice of Lango FM, Lango Cultural Foundation Spokesman Jacob Ocen revealed that Odur’s decision to retire was due to his advanced age. Odur used this opportunity to express his gratitude to all those he collaborated with during his tenure, both in the government and cultural leadership spheres.
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One of Odur’s key requests to the government is to expedite the construction of the Lango Cultural Palace. The groundbreaking ceremony for this significant cultural edifice was presided over by the late former Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanya.
According to the roadmap, the electoral body responsible for organizing the election of the new paramount chief will be sworn in and inaugurated in October 2023. The recent council of Owitong meeting approved the names of five proposed electoral commission officials, including retired head teacher Tom Otim, former MP Beatrice Lagada, Counsel Abwang Otim, Obong Acuda, and former CAO Ben Ogwete Otim.
As part of his farewell activities, Odur has planned extensive tours across all nine districts in Lango, spanning from February to June 2024. Furthermore, from June to August 2024, legislators from Lango and well-wishers will have the opportunity to bid their farewells during visits to his Teboke residence.
His highness Odur has also invited the Kabaka of Buganda and Omukama of Bunyoro to visit the sites where their predecessors, Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda and Kabalega of Bunyoro, found refuge with the people of Lango during their resistance against colonial incursions on their kingdoms.
The transition will culminate in December 2024, when Odur will make his final official visit as the Won Nyaci to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at State House Entebbe. On this occasion, he will formally hand over the instruments of power to his successor, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in the rich cultural heritage of the Lango people.
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