Lira, Uganda | Construction of the UGX 3.5 billion Lango Cultural Institution Palace has stalled after the main contractor, CMD Investment Ltd, abandoned the site, sparking concern among Lango leaders.
Lango Cultural Institution Speaker Willy Omodo Omodo disclosed that the contractor had subcontracted a local firm, which used over UGX 250 million for setting the foundation.
He said the workers had not been paid and that efforts by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to mediate on June 11, 2025, were undermined when CMD Investment Ltd failed to attend a scheduled meeting.
This revelation emerged during a high-level engagement organised by the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development at the Lango Cultural Centre in Lira City.
The meeting, held on Friday June 20, 2025, and led by Minister Betty Amongi Akena, was part of a nationwide tour to all 17 gazetted cultural institutions to deliver President Yoweri Museveni’s message of renewed support.
Minister Amongi told cultural leaders that her ministry, in collaboration with OPM, had allocated funding for palace construction for Tekwaro Lango, Kumam Cultural Heritage, and Iteso Cultural Union, institutions currently without permanent palaces.
She admitted that the Lango palace project had suffered delays but promised tighter monitoring and contractor accountability moving forward.
She informed the gathering that President Museveni had directed the delivery of executive vehicles and double cabins to all gazetted cultural institution heads to enhance their mobility.
According to her, most cultural leaders had requested that the vehicles bear culturally significant number plates rather than standard government or private identifiers.
The handover, she said, would likely occur during a meeting with the president.
Amongi outlined that the monthly funding to cultural institutions had been increased from UGX 5 million to UGX 60 million.
She explained that the financial support would be used under three main objectives: promoting culture and local language preservation, enhancing household incomes through government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga, and fighting harmful traditional practices, especially early marriages, teenage pregnancy, and land conflicts.
She cited data indicating that Lango was among the top five regions in the aftermath of COVID-19, worst affected by teenage pregnancy in Uganda, with some districts recording rates of up to 40%.
She revealed that her ministry is working in partnership with international agencies, including UNICEF, UNFPA, and the Office of the First Lady, to combat the crisis.
She also communicated a cabinet directive concerning the resettlement of Balaalo herdsmen, explaining that illegal settlers are to evicted from Northern Uganda but some had earlier relocated to Maruzi Ranch in Apac District.
She noted that those who had legally acquired land were allowed to remain.
Paramount Chief of Lango, Eng. Dr. Moses Michael Odongo Okune used the event to announce the formation of the Council of Elders (Itogo), appointing prominent figures such as Mzee Rashid Eton Otengolang, Rev. Fr. Francis Omara, Emeritus Bishop John Charles Odur Kami, among others.
He said this council would play a crucial role in mediation as the region approached another round of political elections.
He also unveiled a list of newly appointed advisors, including Haji Musa Odongo as Chairperson, Imat Joan Pacu Otoo as Vice Chairperson, Bishop Tom Ibrahim Okello in charge of Religion, Maj. Gen. Innocent Oula, among others.
He emphasized that the upcoming political season would require wisdom and patience since not every candidate would win, and many would need moral support.
Odongo Okune commended Minister Amongi and President Museveni for their contributions to the region’s cultural and infrastructural development.
He credited the president for achievements such as the establishment of Lira University and road upgrades, including the tarmacking of Apac Highway.
He further noted that a total of UGX 126.4 billion had been injected into Lango through the Parish Development Model (PDM) programme, benefitting over 128,000 households and 613 SACCOs.
Lango Cultural Institution Prime Minister Prof. Willy Okullo presented the institution’s Annual Report for 2024/2025, highlighting accomplishments in sectors such as education, environmental conservation, dispute resolution, and governance.
He reported that more than 500 scholarships had been secured in 2024 and over 2,000 in 2025.
He noted that their environmental initiative, “Greening Lango,” had facilitated the distribution of thousands of tree seedlings, with active support from key stakeholders.
He pointed out that the institution had made significant strides in protecting the vulnerable, fighting harmful traditional practices, and empowering women, including through initiatives such as the Agong Foundation.
Okullo also disclosed plans to reduce the current number of clans, now at 175, in an effort to promote unity and reduce fragmentation.
He added that digitising and documenting the region’s cultural heritage was underway to create cultural revenue streams and preserve identity.
Otim Tom, the Chairperson of Lango Cultural Institution Electoral Commission who oversaw the March 1, 2024 election, described the process as peaceful and credible.
He urged Minister Amongi as a respected leader from Lango to help resolve internal cultural disputes.
He recalled a distressing incident when he was forced to stand for more than five hours in court due to challenges against the election results and encouraged all parties to de-politicise cultural institutions and respect established processes.
During the event, Minister Amongi was presented with a framed portrait of the Paramount Chief and a miniature model of the proposed Lango Cultural Palace.
She was also officially invited to the forthcoming Lango Women’s Conference, scheduled for 27 June 2025.
She concluded by advising clan leaders to document their histories in Lango language as a way of preserving wisdom for future generations.
She reminded leaders that marginalised groups such as albinos, little people, and intersex individuals could benefit from government support through the Equal Opportunities Commission and community development offices at sub-county level.