By Denish Ongora
AMOLATAR – 24th April 2026. A Social Environmental Scientist and clan leader in Lango has raised concerns over growing dependence on central government support, urging cultural institutions to become financially self-reliant.
Olal Joel, a clan minister of environment and member of the finance committee of Arak Ongoda clan, has called on cultural leaders and their subjects to strengthen internal systems and reduce reliance on external assistance.
He warned that turning to government authorities for routine disputes or funding challenges risks weakening traditional leadership structures and diminishing cultural authority.
Olal emphasized that cultural institutions function as independent systems, rooted in shared identity and values, and should be sustained through the commitment of their own people.
To illustrate this, he noted that, small but consistent financial support from members would be enough to fund cultural activities and operations without external intervention.
He further stressed that preserving cultural heritage requires unity, responsibility, and active participation from all members of the community.
Olal’s remarks come amid growing tension between the Lango Cultural Institution headed by Won nyaci Eng. Dr. Moses Michael Odongo Okune and the Lango Cultural Foundation, headed by the acting Won nyaci Fredrick Ogwal Oyee, with both sides seen competing for closer ties to the government. This has raised concern after leaders openly campaigned for President Yoweri Museveni in the last election.
While individuals have political rights, the Constitution of Uganda 1995, under Article 246(3), requires cultural leaders to remain non-partisan, raising questions about the neutrality of cultural institutions in Lango.
The approved budget for the 2025 financial year of the Lango Cultural Institution shows that they were expected to raise funds in the following way: each clan was to contribute 500,000 shillings, totaling 89.5 million shillings; the Ministry of Gender was expected to provide 115.5 million shillings; and Won nyaci’s salary from the same ministry.
This indicates that a significant portion of the institution’s funding still depends on external support, particularly from government sources.
The Minister of Information of the Lango Cultural Foundation, Jacob Ocen, supports the idea of financial independence but argues that the current leadership wrangle, which has created two factions, is a major obstacle. He noted that people in Lango tend to pledge allegiance to the faction they prefer, making collective support for the cultural institution difficult at this time. He added that activities such as paying the Paramount Chief (Won Nyaci) require substantial funding, which the cultural institution alone cannot easily sustain.
The spokesperson of the Lango Cultural Institution, whose Won Nyaci is the one recognized by government, said he believes that over-reliance on government compromises the independence and integrity of cultural institutions, since leaders may be tempted to please those in power in expectation of support.
According to advice from other cultural leaders, including kings in Nigeria and examples from the Buganda Kingdom, Okwir said they intend to introduce revenue-generating initiatives such as issuing marriage certificates and collecting funds from clans through clan leaders, among others.
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