Lango region is currently mourning the loss of two significant political leaders who both passed away on Sunday due to natural causes. Mike Ogwal Aconga, the Chairperson (Mayor) of Lira city division, died on Sunday evening at the Mulago Cancer Institute in Kampala after a seven-month battle with cancer-related illnesses. Aconga had previously served as a presidential guard commando during the Obote Two regime and held the position of clan head (Awitong) of the Pedicunkal clan, one of the clans in the Lango cultural institution.
Aconga had a history of political involvement, serving as the LC3 chairperson of Ojwina division from 2001 to 2006, and later contesting for the Lira municipality mayorship without success in several attempts.
Betty Akoli, the wife of former Lango Cultural Foundation prime minister Richard Nam, also passed away on the same day. She reportedly died at her residence in the senior quarters of Lira city west division due to hypertension and diabetes. Akoli had previously served as the district chairperson of Kole district from 2016 to 2021, when she sought re-election but lost to Andrew Moses Awany.
The burial for Mike Ogwal Aconga is scheduled for Friday, October 20, 2023, in Ngetta, Lira city east division. Betty Akoli’s burial is set for Saturday in Alito sub-county, Kole district.
