Odongo Okune | |
|---|---|
| Paramount Chief (Won Nyaci) of Lango | |
| In office 1 March 2024 – Incumbent | |
| Preceded by | Yosam Odur Ebii |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael Moses Odongo Okune (1965-03-06) March 6, 1965 Ibjue Trading Centre, Maruzi, Apac District, Uganda |
| Alma mater | Makerere University, University of Surrey |
| Occupation | Cultural leader, civil engineer, public servant |
Michael Moses Odongo Okune (born 6 March 1965) is a Ugandan cultural leader for the Lango people in Northern Uganda with a title of "Paramount Chief Won Nyaci of Lango".[1][2][3] He was the Cultural Foreign Affairs Minister (Awitim) of Lango and chairman Lango Conference 2012.[1] Odongo is a former Executive Director of the Uganda Road Fund (URF).[2]
Background and education
Eng Odongo was born on 6 March 1965 in the Kongo clan in Ibuje[4] Trading Centre, Maruzi Apac district to Joseph William Okune Onweng (father) and Hellen Acen Odora (mother) at Lira Hospital.[1][2]
From 1971 to 1978, Odong pursued his primary education from Ibuje Primary School. From 1979 to 1982, he pursued his O-level education at Sir Samuel Baker Senior Secondary School in Gulu District after which he proceeded to St Peter's College in Tororo District for his A-level education in 1983 to1985 and there after, he joined Makerere University where he pursued a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1985 to1989.[1] He also pursued further studies in engineering where he earned a Master's degree in Civil Engineering in 2003 from the same institution.[1]
In addition, Okune has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a second Master's in Bridge Engineering from University of Surrey in the United Kingdom in 2005 and a PhD in Civil Engineering from Makerere University in 2009.[1] His engineering qualifications also consist of being a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers in the UK.[1]
Career in engineering and public service
Okune began his professional career in 1989 within Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport. He was a district engineer in Lango sub-region in the early 1990s. His experience in infrastructure development attracted him to be appointed as an Executive Director of the Uganda Road Fund (URF) in 2009 and served for ten years until 2019. In 2014 to 2020, he was Chairman for Engineers Registration Board Uganda, chairman Uganda National Cultural Centre 2015 to 2018. Okune served as a Commissioner in the Ministry of Works and Transport from 2021 to 2024.[2]
Cultural leadership
Okune was elected Paramount Chief of Lango, a traditional title also known as Won Nyaci, on 1 March 2024.[5] He was elected following decades of participation in issues of culture, such as his previous appointment as the Cultural Foreign Affairs Minister (Awitim) of Lango and chair for the 2012 Lango Conference. He was gazetted by the Government of Uganda on 2 November 2024 as Paramount Chief.[6]
His swearing-in was conducted on 5 February 2025 in an open inauguration at the High Court in Lira, with legal challenges still pending.[2] His election had previously been revoked by the High Court in a ruling which termed the process "illegal, null and void." A stay was subsequently ordered by the Court of Appeal to enable Okune to go ahead with his swearing-in pending the appeal. The court battle was sparked by competing contestants for the Lango Cultural Foundation, resulting in a long leadership battle.[6][7][8][9]
Despite the controversy, the Ugandan Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Betty Amongi, confirmed that the government recognized Okune as the only legitimate Won Nyaci, reinforcing the state’s official position on his leadership.[10][11]
Public engagement and community advocacy
As Paramount Chief, Okune has been dedicated to reconciliation and reunification of the Lango people. He has promoted cultural rejuvenation and incorporation of traditional models of leadership in tackling modern issues such as poverty, education, and health. In September 2025, he urged the enhanced mobilization of the community in tackling the over-looked tropical diseases (NTDs) with quotes of enormously exaggerated figures in the Lango sub-region. He called on residents, health professionals, and local leaders to become active participants in preventive healthcare measures and education campaigns.[12]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Otto, Nelly. "Who is Dr. Michael Moses Odongo-Okune,the new Paramount Chief- Won Nyaci of Lango? - Watchdog Uganda". www.watchdoguganda.com. Archived from the original on 2024-10-13. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
- ^ a b c d e "Government gazettes Odongo Okune as Lango cultural leader". Monitor. 2024-06-22. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
- ^ "MTN Uganda Contributes Towards the Coronation of Lango's Paramount Chief Elect, Eng Dr. Michael Moses Odongo Okune". Monitor. 2024-10-19. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
- ^ "Floods Cut-off Ibuje Sub- County Cut from Apac District :". Uganda Radionetwork. Retrieved 2025-11-03.
- ^ "Eng. Odongo Okune Takes Oath of Office Lango Paramount Chief :". Uganda Radionetwork. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
- ^ a b "Lango paramount chief coronation: Organising committee dispels cancellation rumours". Monitor. 2024-10-26. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
- ^ "Dr Odongo Okune sworn in as Lango Paramount Chief in dramatic ceremony". Monitor. 2025-02-05. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
- ^ "Court of Appeal blocks orders to throw out Lango Paramount Chief Odongo Okune". Monitor. 2025-01-29. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
- ^ Otwii, Isaac. "Lango paramount chief moves to block rival chief's coronation". Nilepost News. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
- ^ "Amongi to Lango: Odongo Okune is the only recognised Won Nyaci". Monitor. 2025-05-04. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
- ^ "Lango leadership dispute: Why minister defied court order". Monitor. 2025-02-04. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
- ^ Otto, Nelly (2025-09-20). "Won Nyaci Calls For Intensified Community Engagement To Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases as NTDs Hit Alarmingly High Levels In". Watchdog Uganda. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
