{UAH} Lango MPs, chiefs clash at meet - National - monitor.co.ug

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Lango MPs, chiefs clash at meet - National

Dokolo Woman MP Cecilia Ogwal reads the 2013 Tekwaro Lango constitution as MP Felix Okot Ogong holds for her the microphone. PHOTO BY Bill Oketch. 

In Summary

The chiefs accused the legislators of being biased in drafting the resolution for the meeting.

Legislators from Lango sub-region have clashed with clan chiefs (Owitong) over a resolution ordering an end to hostilities between supporters of Lango paramount chief, Won Nyaci Yosam Odur, and those opposed to his leadership without involving cultural leaders.

This was a climax of a recent meeting in Lira Town, which brought together the two rival factions. "Constitutional review committee be constituted to review the constitution of Tekwaro Lango (Lango Cultural Foundation). Conflicting parties restrain from indiscipline in terms of utterance and cooperate with the existing constitutional review committee," reads a part of the draft resolution.

Trouble started when former Lands minister Daniel Omara Atubo, reportedly called aside the Oyam North County MP, Mr Crispus Ayena Odongo, and Ajuri County MP Denis Hamson Obua to help him draft the resolution. No sooner had the MPs started reading the draft resolution than chaos erupted.

More than 100 clan chiefs accused the MPs of being biased. Mr Johnson Okwir Okullo, a clan leader, said the MPs showed lack of respect for those who sent them to Parliament when they drafted the proposed resolution without consulting them.

The MPs attempted to defend their action, saying they did it because they wanted the meeting not to take too long, further angering the clan chiefs. Clan chiefs loyal to Won Nyaci Odur became wild when former MP Tom Odur Anang was given the opportunity to give a speech on behalf of anti-Won Nyaci Odur group.

This was after the former prime minister of Won Nyaci Odur, Mr Tonny Otoa, had already given a speech. 
Former Lira Resident District Commissioner Joe Arwata tried to calm the storm by making reference to situations in Libya and Syria but was booed by the rowdy clan chiefs.

Critics said the MPs could have just guided the discussion instead of "making the decision". Dokolo Woman MP Cecilia Ogwal dismissed the allegations that the MPs were bias, saying: "I thought we have been very objective."

Earlier, the North Kyoga regional police commander, Mr Richard Aruk Maruk, had advised the two rival factions to reconcile.

editorial@ug.nationmedia.com

Lango MPs, chiefs clash at meet - National - monitor.co.ug

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Lango-MPs--chiefs-clash-at-meet/-/688334/2431720/-/n9xfc4/-/index.html

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