LIRA, Uganda — Arising from a court hearing held on Friday, the High Court sitting in Lira, presided over by Justice Phillips Odoki, has set deadlines for lawyers representing the two cultural leaderships involved in the Lango Cultural Leadership dispute.

The court has directed the lawyers to file their written submissions in a new suit in which the Lango Cultural Institution seeks to stay the execution of orders issued by Justice Odoki in the judgment delivered on October 31, 2024.

Eng. Dr. Michael Moses Odongo Okune, Willie Omodo Omodo, George Ojwang Opota, and three others filed a new civil suit (number 126 of 2024), requesting the court to refrain from enforcing the 14 orders issued on October 31, 2024, through their legal counsel.

In his judgment, Justice Odoki had issued several orders, including the re-gazetting of Yosam Odur Ebii and a permanent injunction restraining the agents of Ambassador Ogwang Okul and Eng. Dr. Moses Michael Odongo Okune from performing any rituals as Won Nyaci of Lango, among others.

While presiding over the case on Friday morning, Justice Odoki directed the lawyers representing Eng. Dr. Moses Odongo Okune, led by counsel Adam Makmot Kibwanga and counsel Patrick Okwir, to file their written submissions by Monday, November 11, 2024.

On the other hand, lawyers representing Benjamin Okii and Denis Obia Acila, led by counsel Emmanuel Egaru, have been instructed to submit their written submissions by Friday, November 15, 2024. Justice Odoki has set the date for delivering his verdict on the matter for Friday, November 22, 2024, at 2:30 PM, and the ruling will be sent via email.

Many clan leaders and the people of Lango are keen to follow developments in the cultural leadership dispute. One clan head from the Lango Cultural Institution, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, expressed their readiness to await the court’s decision.

The clan leader noted that November 22, 2024, is fast approaching, as communicated by the presiding judge.