The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Lira, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Paramount Chief of Lango Cultural Foundation Yosam Odur Ebii has demanded blood compensation for the death of Robert Charles Ogwang, the Acting Bukwo Chief Administrative Officer.
He made the declaration while addressing mourners during the burial of the late Ogwang at Apii Primary school in Kole District on Saturday. Ogwang breathed his last at Bombo Military Hospital in Luwero district on July 8th, 2022 after unknown people rained bullets on his vehicle at Kiryowa along the Kampala-Gulu Highway.
The assailants later torched Ogwang’s official before fleeing the scene of the crime. Now, Yosam Odur Ebii, the Lango paramount chief says that once the suspected murderers are arrested and convicted, they should be compelled to pay blood compensation as it is in line with the Lango tradition.
Blood compensation is where a person suspected to have caused death or his family offers cows and money to the family of the deceased. On the other hand, Lirra clan where the late Ogwang belonged has asked the Government to take care of his family, especially the school-going children. The clan also wants security to provide them with regular updates on the investigations into the death of their son.
Arnold Bongo Debuni, the speaker of the Liira clan explained that Ogwang was the breadwinner of his family whose demise is a big setback to the family and clan at large.
Evaline Apio Ogwang, the deceased’s widow confirmed to mourners that for the last two months, her husband had hinted to her that his life was at risk because of threats at his workplace. She, however, called on the general public especially her relatives and friends to forgive her husband’s assailants so that God can avenge him.
The Northern Regional Council is demanding a public apology from the Bukwo LC V chairperson and Resident District Commissioner following Ogwang’s brutal murder. The resolution was read by Andrew Moses Awany, the vice president of the Uganda Local Government Association (ULGA) who doubles as the Kole District LC 5 chairperson.
He explains that they saw a snapshot of a letter by the LC V chairperson accusing Ogwang of incompetence among claims.
“I am saying this because we saw a snapshot of a letter that was written by the district chairperson of Bukwo accusing late Robert Charles Ogwang that had hardly lived in Bukwo for five months, how could all those accumulated complaints be levied on an individual who had hardly stayed five months in the district.” Awany wondered.
Awany called on the government to increase budget allocations to local governments, saying the limited resource allocation is fueling fights between the political and technical wings of local government, which in most cases result in death.
David Kennedy Odongo, the Chairperson Lango District chairpersons called upon religious leaders to seek God’s face to intervene in the tragic incidents of assassinating government officials. Odongo wondered why several people are being killed in cold blood and no action is taken.
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