President Museveni has held a strategic meeting with the Lango Paramount Chief (Won Nyaci), Eng. Dr. Michael Moses Odongo Okune, and other senior clan leaders to discuss the promotion of cultural heritage, education, health, and sustainable development in the Lango sub-region.
Held at State House Entebbe, the meeting underscored the importance of traditional leadership in shaping Uganda’s socio-economic transformation. President Museveni emphasized the unique position of cultural institutions in championing indigenous languages and values, particularly as local languages face marginalization in the formal education system.
“Nobody has banned local languages, but who is promoting them? That’s where cultural leadership comes in,” said President Museveni. “In the past, vernacular was taught in schools, but today, that’s no longer clear. Cultural institutions can bridge that gap.”
The President also pointed out that while English and Swahili serve as official and regional languages respectively, local dialects are vital in preserving community identity and knowledge systems.
President Museveni called on both religious and cultural leaders to safeguard progressive traditional practices while discarding outdated ones, particularly those that hinder gender equality. He cited the transformation of Banyankole customs as an example, stressing the need for reforms that uplift the girl child.
“I audited the Banyankole culture because it suppressed the girl child. I said my daughters must have their share — they are my blood,” he stated.
Turning to economic development, the president urged the Lango community to harness modern agriculture and optimal land use for wealth creation. He pointed to high-value crops such as coffee and fruits as viable income sources for families with even small land holdings.
“With an acre of coffee, you can earn up to Shs18 million annually if you irrigate. Fruits can bring in as much as Shs30 million per acre,” he noted.
He encouraged clan leaders to support land ownership systems that promote productive use, fencing, and sustainable agricultural practices, including the use of fertilizers and pasture management.
The president also appealed to the cultural leaders to take active roles in promoting education, public health, and peaceful co-existence within their communities.
“I want you to help me reach the people directly — promote peace, education, and health,” President Museveni said.
He further expressed appreciation to the people of Lango for their unwavering support during his recent campaign visits.
In response, Paramount Chief Eng. Dr. Michael Odongo Okune commended President Museveni for restoring peace in the Lango sub-region, recalling the instability of the past decades.
“You rid Lango of state-inspired violence of the 1970s and early 1980s, cattle rustling, and insurgencies like those of Kony and Lakwena that caused mass displacement,” he said.
The Paramount Chief also applauded government initiatives aimed at wealth creation, noting their positive impact on livelihoods in the region.
“Lango is grateful to Your Excellency for the developments you have brought to the region,” he added.
