The Commander of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) 5th Division, Maj. Gen. Keith Katungi has declared that Lango Subregion is now free from Karamojong cattle raids following a year of intensified military operations.
Addressing the council of clan chiefs (Owitong) on Thursday, 25 September, at the Lango Cultural Centre in Lira City, Gen. Katungi said no livestock has been stolen from Lango since his deployment in May 2023.
He explained that the only two recent raid attempts in Otuke and Alebtong districts ended in failure.
He told the gathering that the first group of rustlers had been killed by the UPDF, while in the second attempt, the cattle they had tried to raid away became exhausted and were abandoned.
The commander said UPDF forces had sealed off Abim District to block warriors from entering Lango in through Otuke and Alebtong Districts.
He credited the success to a direct assignment from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, noting that “the major task of securing Lango from Karamojong has been completed.”
Gen. Katungi, however, acknowledged rising cases of theft by unemployed youth, many of whom are drug addicts raiding people’s gardens for food crops, including sorghum.
He attributed this to thin police deployment and said President Museveni had already instructed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abbas Byakagaba to deploy 18 officers per subcounty to strengthen law enforcement.
He further urged the people of Lango to remain united across political and religious lines when engaging with government.
He advised NRM supporters not to confront UPC leader Jimmy James Michael Akena and his followers, stressing the need for harmony if the region is to benefit from presidential programmes.
The meeting, convened by the office of the Paramount Chief through the Minister for Government Liaison under the Lango Cultural Institution (LCI), brought together clan leaders from across the region.
It comes ahead of President Museveni’s campaign tour of Lango, expected in the first week of October, as preparations intensify for the January 2026 presidential elections.
Jurubabel Opio Okori, Adok Oyengowoo Clan Chief and Minister for Lands under Lango Cultural Institution, praised Museveni as a “God-fearing leader who values peace” and rejected homosexuality.
He urged the people of Lango to support him in 2026 while requesting tractors, agro-processing factories, and improved seeds to boost agriculture in the region.
He also appealed for recognition of Jimmy Akena, son of former President Milton Obote, saying the president should not neglect him.
Canon Richard Ogwang Odyero, Clan Chief of Ogora Clan and Minister for Government Liaison under the Lango Cultural Institution, thanked Gen. Katungi for restoring security and asked that he be maintained in the region.
He further appealed to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to honour Paramount Chief (Won Nyaci) Emeritus Yosam Odur Ebii for his role in preserving Lango culture.
Willy Omodo Omodo, Speaker of the Lango Cultural Institution, echoed the call, urging Museveni to personally meet Yosam Odur and ensure he lives in dignity after years of service as Paramount Chief.
Proscovia Ayo Otyek, Assistant RDC for Lira District and spokesperson for Agong Foundation Ltd, presented a written memo to Gen. Katungi.
She said the foundation, led by Margaret Odongo, wife of the Paramount Chief, plans to organise a youth boot camp in December 2025 during the third term school holidays.
The programme will focus on women’s empowerment, addressing teenage pregnancies, among others.
She also appealed for financial support to strengthen the foundation’s SACCO, which she said is crucial for economic empowerment in Lango.
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