In an independent survey and opinion poll conducted by the Ankole Times newspaper to assess who might be ahead in case voting for Lango paramount chief (Won-Nyaci) is conducted today. Preliminary opinion polls show that Dr. Engineer Odong Okune would be in the early lead.
The opinion poll has been done as a result of interviews with 46 people between January 1st and January 9th, 2024, in about nine districts and one city of Lango ahead of the scheduled January 31, 2024, election.
Imat Apuli, commonly known as “Queen-na-Lango,” said if the election were to be conducted today, Dr. Eng. Odongo Okune would take the lead, followed by Dr. Richard Nam and Abal in the third position. She said Dr. Eng. Michael Odongo Okune would possibly win because he has a lot of money and has penetrated all sorts of cultural leaders in Lango.
Mr. Ongom Emmanuel Okwel, a renowned politician of Alebtong district, said he doesn’t see any capable leader at the moment among the seven contestants because most of them do not fully understand anything about Lango culture, and others have a very shallow agenda for Lango as a tribe.
In a related development, Ongom Okwel said the only capable candidate who has “not” shown interest in the race is Counsel Daniel Omara Atubo. “Atubo is legally exposed, knows the real Lango culture, and has done a lot for the people of Lango, including serving as a minister (former) in the government.” When contacted for his comment on the phone by our reporter, Counsel Daniel Omara Atubo told our reporter that he is yet to make an official comment next week on the matter in a press conference regarding the election of Lango paramount chief (Won-Nyaci).
A high-profile leader who never wanted his name to be mentioned in this publication said Odongo Okune can win the election with a high margin because he has support from many clan chiefs (Owitong) in both Tekwaro Lango and Lango Cultural Foundation. He, however, said the election may hit a snag if “Won Nyaci” Yosam Odur Ebii is not fully involved from the beginning up to the end of the electoral processes by the ‘Itogo’ elders.
One of the clan elders, a 71-year-old in Agweng sub-county, Lira district, who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity, said he is confused because the election may be postponed due to circumstances surrounding the existence of two leaders for a single clan that should first be reorganized in all the over 140 clans in Lango Cultural setup so that we have a single Owitong for a particular clan.
Another person, an 81-year-old man from Anai Ober, Lira City West Division, said Eng. Okune is an all-around person who deserves to be elected unopposed. He added that Odongo is a learned person of high standard and able to deliver anything on behalf of Lango people without fear or favor but Dr. Omara Atubo would be the best if he were to contest because he speaks the minds of all the Lango community and tribe wherever needed.
Another woman in her mid-60s from Amolatar district told our reporter on the face that Dr. Okune will be number one if the election will be free and fair.
Ken Allan Owani, an activist, and a youth in the age bracket from Lira City, has made it loud and clear that he doesn’t know much about Dr. Eng. Odong Okune, but because he has been reading about him, he is likely to win the January 31st, 2024 paramount chief election organized by Lango cultural Electoral Commission being supervised by the ‘Itogo’.
At least 46 people were interviewed by our reporter, and most of them zeroed their votes toward Dr. Okune, Dr. Richard Nam, Robert Ajal, and Okul, plus others who haven’t shown their interest, including lawyer Daniel Omara Atubo, among others.
The official election of Lango Paramount Chief will take place on January 31, 2024. However, about seven (7) people are rumored to have shown interest, including the following:
- Dr. Richard Nam (Kole district) from Okii-me-Amat clan
- Dr. Eng. Michael Moses Odongo Okune in his early 50s (Head of Tekwaro Lango) who also doubles as a clan head of Okar-Omwono clan.
- Dickson Ogwang Okul, from Kole district, now serving as Uganda’s ambassador in Khartoum.
- MP Maxwell Akora of Maruzi county, Apac District, and from the Oyima clan where the late Dr. Apollo Milton Obote, former President of Uganda came from.
- Fredrick Ogwal Oyee (Dokolo district), from the Inomo clan
- Wasio Dickens Olak, head of Adyegi clan. He is from Apac district
- Patrick Abal, the clan leader of Arak Ongoda clan. The above seven people, among others, are believed to be consulting the Lango Kingdom subjects to look for votes as January 31, 2024, draws nearer. The Ankole Times newspaper will continue to bring you more updates as far as the election is concerned from now until the 31st of January 2024.
