Lira City, Uganda –– Ugandan civil engineer Odongo Bongonyinge has publicly refuted a series of allegations leveled against him by Akoli Hermilia Christine, addressing claims of wrongful termination, disputes over clan leadership, and property mismanagement.
In a detailed rebuttal, Engineer Odongo dismissed the accusations, which he stated were circulated through journalist Akwam Emmy, as “falsehoods” and “baseless.”
Regarding his professional career, Engineer Odongo Bongonyinge clarified that his tenure as District Engineer in Alebtong concluded in January 2017 due to his voluntary resignation to pursue consultancy work with Canada-based Co-Water International.
He emphasized that his departure was not a termination and encouraged verification of this fact from Alebtong’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and the District Service Commission.
A central point of contention in the rebuttal is the leadership of the Tikokin me Ocok Clan. Engineer Odongo Bongonyinge asserted that he was rightfully elected as the 4th Clan Leader in April 2014, directly contradicting Akwam Emmy’s claim of a clan merger in the mid-1990s, which he labeled as “false.” He referenced the 2003 Lango Cultural Foundation constitution, which lists “Tikokin me Ocok as Clan 7,” and challenged his critics to verify the historical records of Clans in Lango.
Engineer Odongo also addressed personal matters, accusing Akoli Hermilia Christine of breaching her marital vows and referencing her ongoing divorce proceedings with Dr. Moses Acan in the Lira High Court.
He further criticized her public statements regarding Susan Gol, a family member whose introduction expenses he claims to have contributed to. Defending his long-standing role as a family representative since 1996, he stated, “Family representation is a birthright, not a political position,” highlighting his efforts in 2007 to prevent the family home from being auctioned by Centenary Bank, Lira.
Addressing property disputes, Engineer Odongo Bongonyinge referred to a 2005 land division in Teso Bar overseen by his late mother, Mrs. Pulkeria Bongonyinge (RIP). He stated that the property was lawfully divided into plot 5 and 7 and that he subsequently constructed a perimeter wall at a cost of UGX 90 million.
He argued that succession matters should be resolved by family elders, not through “social media outbursts.” He dismissed allegations of torture and property damage as deliberate attempts by Akwam Emmy and Akoli Hermilia Christine to damage his reputation.
The rebuttal also addressed recent police complaints filed by Akoli, including a November 2024 scuffle and a 2023 incident in the backyard, labeling them as “baseless.” Engineer Odongo likened Akoli’s behavior to that of a younger sister in need of psychosocial support.
He denied any involvement in an alleged assault case at CPS Lira, and stated that a cyber-harassment case has reportedly been filed against Akoli and Akwam Emmy.
Labeling Akoli’s actions as “uncalled for,” Engineer Odongo urged the public to disregard her claims. Addressing his sister directly, he emphasized that “riches come from hard work, not from so called ‘positions’,” and advised her to focus on earning a living rather than relying on “gimmicks.”
Engineer Odongo Bongonyinge framed his public rebuttal as a necessary clarification for the community, noting that his family, including friends and relatives abroad, fully supports his stance on these matters.
His comprehensive response disputes the allegations across various fronts, encompassing professional conduct, clan legitimacy, and personal disputes, while portraying Akoli’s actions as erratic and self-serving. The document underscores the significance of cultural and familial protocols, advocating for the resolution of such issues through traditional channels rather than public platforms.
