President Yoweri Museveni has paid tribute to the former Wonyaci of Lango, Yosam Odur Ebii, describing him as a patriotic leader whose guidance and cultural stewardship will be deeply missed.
The President, represented by Vice President Jessica Alupo at the burial ceremony, said the country had lost ‘a patriotic Ugandan at a time when the country still needed him most.’
The government accorded Odur Ebii an official burial at his home in Teboke Village, Chegere Sub-County in Apac District on Saturday, November 22, 2025. The former Paramount Chief of Lango died on November 10, 2025, at the age of 99 at Lira University Teaching Hospital after a prolonged illness.
President Museveni’s condolence message highlighted the cultural leader’s legacy from the time he was crowned in 2002 until his retirement in 2024.
‘I call upon the leadership to safeguard the gains made by the King of Lango. I thank the people of Lango for supporting the NRM government. Odur will be greatly missed by family, relatives, the Langi and Uganda,’ the message read. The President also extended a condolence package of Shs10 million, delivered by Vice President Alupo.
Ms Alupo told mourners that Odur played a pivotal role in advocating for the establishment of Lira University as an autonomous public institution. The university started as a constituent college of Gulu University in 2009 before attaining full university status on July 16, 2015.
She recalled how the late Odur persistently pressed the President to separate the two institutions. ‘He would tell the president that: ‘I want you to separate the elephant from the rhino because if they stay together they will not grow well,’ and the president would ask the translator to tell him what the Wonyaci was meaning,’ Ms Alupo recounted.
The elephant is the Acholi totem, and the rhino represents Lango. At the time, both symbols appeared together on signposts when the constituent college was still under Gulu University.
‘At that time I was the Minister of Education and Sports, so the President directed me to separate the two animals and that is when Lira University was established as an independent educational institution. All this was because of the persistent advocacy of Yosam Odur,’ she said.
Ms Peace Mutuuzo, State Minister for Gender and Culture, praised the late cultural leader as a dignified man who championed unity, development, and peaceful coexistence.
‘Today we gather here with deep sorrow for the late former leader, but also to celebrate his useful age of 99 years. His contribution to peace and coexistence will never be forgotten,’ she said.
She added that Odur was ‘a peacemaker,’ and commended the government for according him official burial. She further noted his strong advocacy for inclusive education and his efforts in fighting domestic violence.
Ms Mutuuzo urged Lango clan leaders to prioritize addressing gender-based violence, observing that research shows Lango is among the regions most affected. She also called for gender equality in clan leadership.
‘When clan leaders were introduced here, I never saw any women yet the number of women was more than men. We are not against that, but let your deputies be women. President Museveni has been advocating for gender equality, which is why he has appointed women in high-profile positions including the Vice President,’ she said.
The ceremony attracted cultural representatives from Acholi, Teso, Karamoja, Alur, and other regions. The funeral service was jointly led by the Bishop of Lango Diocese Rt Rev Alfred Olwa, the Bishop of West Lango Diocese Rt Rev Caesar Nina, Bishop Emeritus Rt Rev Charles Odur Kami, and Bishop Emeritus Rt Rev Alfred Acur.
The funeral mass was held at Te-puke Primary School in Chegere Sub-county, Apac District.