President Yoweri Museveni has urged Lango cultural leaders to champion social transformation by revising outdated traditions, promoting wealth creation, and preserving the region’s cultural identity.
During a meeting at State House Entebbe with His Highness Eng. Dr. Moses Odongo Okune, the Paramount Chief of Lango, and other leaders from the sub-region, President Museveni emphasized the importance of aligning culture with modern development needs.
The President said some traditions, particularly those that limit women’s independence and contribution to society, should be re-examined. “The tradition of the girl child being dependent on others throughout her life needs revision,” he stated, adding that empowering women would strengthen families and communities.
He also called for the preservation of practices that promote unity and moral order. “The practice of not marrying within one’s clan should be preserved,” Museveni noted.
Beyond cultural matters, Museveni advised the leaders to guide their people on practical strategies for socio-economic advancement. He encouraged them to fence their land, embrace irrigation, use fertilizers, improve education, and lead in preserving the Lango language.
“It is essential to teach people how to generate wealth (lonyo) through preaching and leading by example, as well as to maintain peace by opposing troublemakers,” Museveni said.
The President and the cultural delegation also discussed the reclamation of administrative centers by cultural institutions and agreed on the need to combat land fragmentation, which threatens productivity and inheritance structures in rural areas.
His Highness Eng. Dr. Odongo Okune welcomed the engagement, commending the President for supporting dialogue between cultural and government institutions. He reaffirmed Lango’s commitment to working with government to preserve heritage while promoting education, innovation, and peace.
The meeting underscored the growing partnership between government and traditional leaders in promoting community-based development, social harmony, and national stability.
