Lira, Uganda | The Lango Cultural Institution has tabled a UGX 1 billion draft budget for the 2025/2026 financial year, aimed at advancing cultural preservation, strengthening institutional operations, and supporting education and social development across the Lango sub-region.
The proposed budget was introduced on Saturday, 14 June 2025, during a cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister of the Institution, Prof. Willy Okullo, at Margarita Palace Hotel in Lira City.
Prof. Okullo, who also serves as Clan Head of Arak Okwero Yito, described the meeting as a statutory session to review the annual work plan and budget before submission to the Council of Owitong for approval.
The Executive Secretary of the Institution, Morish Chris Ongom, said the UGX 1 billion draft budget is designed to ensure the Lango culture is elevated to the same stature as other tribes in Uganda.
He outlined key funding areas, with UGX 756 million earmarked for core administrative operations.
These include payment of staff at the Office of the Paramount Chief (Won Nyaci), organization of Clan Heads’ meetings, renovation of the Lango Cultural Centre, and logistical support for the Paramount Chief’s engagements across the country and abroad.
Further allocations include:
● UGX 35 million for activities promoting peace, unity, and cultural cohesion;
● UGX 30 million for youth development programmes;
● UGX 20 million for empowering women within cultural frameworks;
● UGX 20 million for the development and management of the Institution’s digital infrastructure.
The cabinet unanimously adopted the draft, which will now be presented before the Council of Owitong, the supreme cultural legislative body, for deliberation and possible amendments.
Prof. Okullo urged ministers to commit fully to executing the proposed work plan, noting that cultural activities such as the “Greening Lango” initiative and expansion of bursary opportunities are among the priorities for the year ahead.
The Minister of Education and Sports, George Ojwang Opota who is also Clan Head of Omalacol Odyek Onywal Iceng reported that students from various clans have benefited from bursary allocations under the Institution’s education support programme.
As part of the 2025 work plan, the institution intends to hold four quarterly cabinet planning meetings, four council meetings, and continue facilitation for 11 technical staff based at the secretariat.
The cabinet also confirmed the upcoming Lango Women’s Gathering, scheduled for 27 June 2025 at the Lango Cultural Centre.
The event is expected to focus on women’s role in cultural resilience and development.
Separately, 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 UGX 100,000 monthly to sustain LDF’s scholarship programme.
This draft budget marks the first comprehensive financial plan under the current leadership of the Lango Cultural Institution and is seen as a strategic step towards institutional transformation, community empowerment, and cultural preservation.