The former Lango Paramount Chief (Won Nyaci), Mzee Yosam Odur Ebii, has died at the age of 94.
According to Lango Cultural Foundation spokesperson Jacob Ocen, Mzee Odur passed away on the morning of November 10, 2025, at Lira University Teaching Hospital, where he had been admitted since Saturday.
“He was admitted after suffering from malaria but later started coughing severely,” Ocen media.
Mzee Odur served as the Won Nyaci of Lango for several decades, earning wide respect for his dedication to promoting peace, unity, and cultural preservation among the Lango people. Under his leadership, the Lango Cultural Foundation gained prominence in advocating for education, reconciliation, and community development in northern Uganda.
Odur stepped down as Paramount Chief following a leadership dispute with Eng. Dr. Michael Odongo Okune in 2023. The following year, Odongo was elected as the new Won Nyaci, though the decision was contested by Odur and some clan leaders, reflecting divisions within the cultural institution.
Mzee Yosam Odur Ebii leaves behind a legacy of cultural stewardship, community service, and strong advocacy for the restoration of traditional values among the Lango.
Funeral arrangements will be announced by the Lango Cultural Foundation in due course.
