The administration has taken the lion’s share of Lango Cultural Institution’s budget estimates, totaling Shs 1 billion, for the financial year 2025/2026.
The budget was presented to the Cabinet on Saturday, June 14, 2025 by the institution’s Executive Secretary Moris Chris Ongom, during a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, Prof. Willy Okullo, at Margarita Palace Hotel in Lira City.
The budget prioritises cultural preservation, strengthening institutional operations, and supporting education and social development across the Lango sub-region.
According to the budget allocations, administration is allocated the lion’s share of Shs 756 million.
This money is intended for staff payments at the Office of the Paramount Chief (Won Nyaci), organizing Clan Heads’ meetings, renovating the Lango Cultural Centre, and providing logistical support for the Paramount Chief’s engagements nationwide and internationally.
A total of Shs 35 million has been allocated for the promotion of peace, unity, and cultural cohesion activities while Shs 30 million has been allocated for youth development programs.
Additionally, women’s empowerment within cultural frameworks, development and management of cultural digital infrastructure, are allocated Shs 20 million each.
During the meeting, the Cabinet unanimously approved the budget estimates.
Moris Chris Ongom, the Lango Cultural Institution executive secretary said Shs1 billion budget is aimed at strengthening development like other cultural Institutions in Uganda.
He said that the draft budget, the Institution’s first comprehensive financial plan under the current leadership, is viewed as a strategic move towards institutional transformation, community empowerment, and cultural preservation.
Prof. Willy Okullo, Lango Cultural Institution Prime Minister and the Clan Head of Arak Okwero Yito, stated that the budget will now be presented to the Council of Owitong, the supreme cultural legislative body, for review and approval.
He urged Ministers to commit to implementing the proposed work plan, highlighting activities like the “Greening Lango” initiative and expanding bursary opportunities as priorities for the 2025/2026 fiscal year.
George Ojwang Opota, Minister of Education and Sports and Clan Head of Omalacol Odyek Onywal Iceng, shared that students from various clans have benefited from bursaries provided under the Institution’s education support program.
As part of the 2025 work plan, the institution plans to hold four quarterly cabinet planning meetings, four council meetings, and continue facilitating 11 technical staff based at the secretariat.
The cabinet also confirmed the upcoming Lango Women’s Gathering scheduled for June 27, 2025, at the Lango Cultural Centre. The event will focus on women’s role in cultural resilience and development.
In a separate development, the Lango Development Forum (LDF), a key stakeholder in supporting education for disadvantaged but academically gifted learners, announced a major fundraising event to be held in September 2025, with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni expected to officiate as Chief Guest.
Maruzi County MP and 3rd Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Ombudsman, Maxwell Akora, proposed that all Members of Parliament from the Lango sub-region contribute at least Shs 100,000 monthly to sustain LDF’s scholarship program.
For Advertisement and News call or send SMS to 0787551001 or WhatsApp +256-787-289-992/+256-775-907-140 or email: eetoilnewsdesk@gmail.com/vokradio22@gmail.com
