Lira, Uganda | The Paramount Chief of Lango Cultural Institution, Dr. Eng. Moses Michael Odongo Okune, has cautioned cultural leaders against engaging in political violence as Uganda heads into a tense election season.
He made the remarks during the enthronement of Agong Ray Bruno as the fifth Awitong of the Bako Parakwara Clan, an event that drew dignitaries, clan leaders, and community members from across the Lango sub-region.
Dr. Odongo Okune reminded leaders of their role as custodians of peace and tradition, urging them to remain neutral in political affairs.
He said cultural institutions should instead promote unity, reconciliation, and development at a time when the country faces heightened political competition.
The Paramount Chief further underscored the importance of collaboration between cultural institutions and government, saying such partnerships were vital for accelerating socio-economic transformation in Lango.
At the same ceremony, the Minister for Culture at the Lango Cultural Institution, Peter Okello Oyo, called for reconciliation among dissenting voices still outside the institution.
He said unity within cultural structures was essential for stability in the wider community.
The newly enthroned Awitong, Agong Ray Bruno, pledged to focus his leadership on poverty eradication through sustainable agriculture.
With a background in rural development, he currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Oil Seed Producers and Processors Association (UOSPA), where he has championed oilseed production across Northern Uganda.
Rev. Joel Agel Awio, the newly sworn-in Prime Minister of the Bako Parakwara Clan, hailed the election process as free and fair.
He noted that clan members aged 18 and above were allowed to vote in a structured process that involved designated polling stations, ballot papers, and oversight mechanisms to ensure credibility.
With more than 33,000 members across 10 districts, the Bako Parakwara Clan is among the most influential in Lango.
Leaders at the event said unity, strong leadership, and collaboration would lay the foundation for peace and prosperity in the sub-region.
Community elders praised Awitong Agong for his integrity and forward-looking agenda in education, agriculture, and business, expressing optimism that his reign would not only consolidate clan harmony but also contribute to the broader development of Lango.