Lango Cultural Institution launches annual inter-clan games to revive heritage

6 December 2025, 1:49 pm

By Mike Okwang ogule & Daniel Odongo

The Lango Cultural Institution has launched its annual inter-clan games to revive traditional heritage and unite the community, with 175 clans expected to participate. The initiative, championed by Paramount Chief Eng. Michael Odongo Okune, aims to promote talent, good health, and cultural preservation.

According to the Minister for Sports and Education, who also serves as the Clan Chief of the Atek Okwero Mac clan, at least 175 clans are expected to take part in the upcoming inter-clan football tournament.

Mr Tego explained that the competition is intended to nurture sporting talent among children, enhance community health, and strengthen unity across the Lango sub-region. Beyond sport, he said the activities will help address social challenges such as early marriage, school dropout rates, domestic violence, and harmful external cultural influences.

“During these events, participants will also receive guidance on how to build peaceful and friendly communities,” he noted.

Tego expressed concern that several traditional marriage rites and cultural practices, once central pillars of Lango identity, have been eroded by Western influence. He said the institution will use the inter-clan games as a platform to revive cultural dances, drama, and other indigenous customs historically associated with the Lango people.

Teams in the tournament will collectively be known as ‘Team Awitong’. Matches will be hosted at Lango College Sports Ground in Lira City and other selected venues across the region.

The competition was launched alongside an environmental campaign encouraging every household and institution to plant trees as part of efforts to restore Lango’s green cover.

Organisers announced that registration opened on 1 December 2025 at the Lango Cultural Centre, at a fee of 300,000 shillings, and will close in March 2026.

Prizes include:

• Winner: Trophy, 5 million shillings, and medals
• Second place: 3 million shillings and medals
• Third place: 2 million shillings and medals
• Fourth place: 1 million shillings
• All other teams: Certificates of participation

According to Mr Tego, the institution plans to identify outstanding young talent during the games and help promote them at national and international levels. The Lango Cultural Institution also hopes to participate in the National Chiefdom Sports Tournament in 2026.

Despite progress in preparations for the inter-clan games, leadership disputes within the Lango community remain unresolved. The tribe is currently divided between two rival cultural institutions.

One faction, operating under the Lango Cultural Foundation, is under the caretaking leadership of Prime Minister Mr Fredrick Ogwal Oyee, the Clan Head of Inomo Clan, following the recent death of Paramount Chief Wonyaci Mzee Yosam Odur Ebii.

The other faction is led by Eng. Michael Odongo Okune under the Lango Cultural Institution, a matter that remains before the courts.