THE Lango Paramount Chief (Won Nyaci)-elect Eng Dr Michael Moses Odongo Okune says poverty is the main factor leading to the prevalence of gender based domestic violence (GBV) and other crimes in the sub region.
“…all leaders including residents must join hands and fight poverty which is the number one enemy causing sufferings of all kinds among our people who out of desperation and ignorance resort to witchcraft…”,Won Nyaci appealed.
This was during a meeting, the first of its kind since his successful election on1st March, 2024 with all the RDCs/RCCs from the Lango sub region held at the Lango Cultural Centre in Lira City West Division.
Like they say gratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy, Eng Dr Michael Moses Odongo Okune applauded the RDCs/RCCs and their deputies from the districts that form the traditional Lango sub region for their tireless efforts in sensitizing and updating the residents on the various anti poverty programmes rolled down by the government.
“… I want to appreciate the services that you are giving to our people because all the feedback we get from the locals are positive which means they are happy with your efforts…”,the paramount chief appreciated.
Some of the programmes include Emyooga, the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP) which started as the Youth Capital Venture, Parish Development Model (PDM), among others where the government has injected billions of shillings for socio-economic transformation.
Others introduced earlier were the Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP) with four major pillars, the Rural Farmers Scheme in the early 1990s, Entandikwa in the run-up to 1996, Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Bona Bagagawale in 2007.
Although GBV is a global challenge and the government of Uganda in particular has designed a number of interventions including laws and policies, the challenge has persisted in many regions including Lango whose population continues to rise.
Numerous reports, surveys and studies from reputable organizations indicate that crime cases like GBV, murder, divorce, land conflicts, drunkenness, and defilement among others are on the rise causing concern among the leaders.
Other social challenges rampant in Lango include low literacy level, witchcraft, HIV/ AIDS new infections, land conflicts, murders and sexual offences including incest and defilement which have correlations to poverty.
The Deputy Dean of all RDCs in Uganda Oguti Sebastian Oswin who also attended informed the paramount chief-elect that the meeting was sanctioned by Minister for Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda (MBB) since it was aimed at discussing matters of development.
“…I want to assure you that as it stands now the central government is ready and willing to join hands with Lango cultural leaders to make a joint assault on poverty currently threatening our people…”,Oguti Sebastian Oswin said.
He also used the occasion to urge the Lango cultural leaders to step up efforts to educate the masses so that they move away from the laborious low productive subsistence agriculture to commercial farming.
The chairperson Lango RDCs George Abudul (Apac) whose message was delivered by the Alebtong RDC Imat Gillian Akullo called on Lango cultural leaders (owitong, rwode and jagi) to use their very strong network to join the fight against the ever degenerating moral fabrics especially among youths.
The RDCs assured the population of maximum security for everyone eagerly waiting to witness the highly billed Coronation (2nd November, 2024), the first of its kind since the people of Lango migrated from Abyssinia (Ethiopia) way back in 1600 AD.
More than 95 per cent of the highly educated and well positioned clan chiefs (owitong) have joined hands with the new paramount chief to ensure that Lango wakes up from years of cultural hibernation.
The clan head of Omea Joe Otim who also attended reported that the planned coronation of the new Lango Paramount Chief has generated a lot of excitement and hope in the whole of Lango who now believe that cultural revival has just begun.
What You Need To Know:
Available information shows that Lira City, which is the capital of the Lango sub-region, was recently ranked third highest in crime rate in the whole country, something that has upset many.
The 2023 Crime Report released by Uganda’s Inspector General of Police(IGP)Kampala capital had the highest crime rate at 4,291,followed by Luwero with 4,111 cases while Lira came third with 3,571 cases.
The report also indicated that Lira City East Division stood fourth nationwide with the highest cases of defilement at 134 reported to the police.
This notwithstanding some cases that are either not reported or settled quietly outside by the affected families.
A strong cultural leadership backed by the thousands of churches and mosques dotted in nearly all villages must join hands and try to minimize crimes which have serious socio-economic implications on the general population in Lango.
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