The Lango Paramount Chief, also known as Won Nyaci Me Lango Eng. Dr Michael Moses Odongo Okune, has welcomed President Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s appointment of 4 sons and daughters of Lango to Cabinet and State Ministerial positions in the new government 2026-2031.
In a statement issued from the Lango Cultural Institution in Lira City, the Paramount Chief used Medieval English wisdom “a bird in hand is worth two in the bush,” noting that Lango is happy with the appointments while still looking forward to more representation.
He stressed that the appointments are a sure gain and Lango should first appreciate what has been given before asking for additional positions in statutory bodies and commissions.
The four Lango Appointees: Portfolio, Constituency and Mandate.
According to the new list released by President Museveni:
Hon. Sam Engola (Erute South constituency) is now Minister, Office of the Prime Minister in charge of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees.
His mandate is drawn from Article 110 of the Constitution which places the Office of the Prime Minister at the center of coordinating government business, disaster response, refugee management and relief operations. He will oversee OPM’s response to climate shocks, floods, drought and refugee influx from neighboring countries.
Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero is now Minister of Information, Communications Technology and National Guidance. She is the Lira City Woman MP. Her mandate comes from the Constitution and the ICT Ministry Act, covering national communication policy, digital transformation, government messaging and public guidance. Her former Health docket has been handed to Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi.
Hon. Sandra Santa Alum is now Minister of State, Office of the President in charge of Economic Monitoring. She is the UPC Woman MP for Oyam District.
Her role is anchored in the Office of the President and derives authority from the President’s directive to track implementation of government programs and ensure value for money across all sectors.
This is being seen as a kind of compensation in place of veteran politician Hon. Betty Amongi Akena. Amongi, former Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development and MP for Oyam South, crossed to Lira City in the last elections but lost to Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero. The Gender docket has now been given to Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde.
Hon. Dr. Faith Mercy Lakisa is now Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development, holding the Youth and Children Affairs portfolio. She is the Alebtong District Woman MP.
Her mandate is provided for under the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development Act, focusing on youth empowerment, skilling, child protection, labour rights and social protection. She replaces Hon. Balam Barugahara, who now goes to politically guide the Ministry of Local Government as its minister.
In a Parliament of over 500 MPs, the 4 slots are being hailed in Lango as significant recognition of the sub-region’s contribution to national leadership. Lango gave Museveni 84% votes in the January 15 polls, rated as one of the best in the country.
Paramount Chief’s Message: Serve with Diligence and Prudence.
HRH Dr. Odongo Okune congratulated the ministers and urged them to live up to Lango’s reputation for honesty, hard work, and integrity.
“On behalf of the Lango people, I welcome and congratulate our sons and daughters appointed by His Excellency the President. Lango has been known for honesty and hard work. I challenge you to serve diligently and prudently, with integrity and accountability, so that you bring development and honor to the people you represent and to Uganda at large,” the Paramount Chief said.
He added that the ministers should prioritize disaster preparedness, ICT and national guidance, economic monitoring, youth employment, and protection of human rights in their respective dockets.
Hon Dr Jane Ruth Aceng’s Choice Not Coincidental.
The Paramount Chief noted that Dr. Aceng’s move to ICT and National Guidance is not coincidental. She has been shining at critical times whenever epidemics or pandemics like Ebola, Marburg, and COVID-19 broke out.
She spoke not only eloquently but with clarity and technical knowledge which has always been praised nationally and internationally. It is hoped she will transfer the same to speak for the government, to explain policy with precision and to guide the public with confidence in times of crisis.
Hon Sam Engola’s Long, Rough Road in NRM.
The Paramount Chief particularly noted Hon. Sam Engola’s political journey. Engola has fought for decades to popularize the NRM and President Museveni, beginning from the early years when more than 90 percent of people in Lango and Northern Uganda were hostile to the Museveni administration.
During the height of political campaigns in Lira Municipality, now City, a mocking Lango phrase emerged: “Cam Engola.” It sounds like “Sam Engola” but literally means “Eat Engola,” with cam meaning food or to eat in Lango dialect.
Critics and NRM opponents then known as “Lira Boys” would tell residents to feign loyalty to Sam Engola so that they could benefit from or ‘eat’ whatever gifts he offered at political rallies. Nonetheless, Sam Engola’s resilience and political mobilization with practical gestures earned him recognition.
At that time the region held strong political nostalgia for the ousted UPC President Dr. Apollo Milton Obote and his UPC government. Obote was a son of the soil, hailing from Akokoro sub county in Apac district where his tomb lies. UPC remains strong in Lango and has posted 12 MPs in the current parliament emanating from the last elections.
Despite that hostile terrain, Hon Engola stayed the course and built NRM structures in Lango. His elevation to full Minister in OPM is being read in Lango as recognition of that loyalty and endurance.
Hon. Denis Hamson Obua: From Government Chief Whip to Presidential Advisor.
The Paramount Chief also acknowledged Hon. Denis Hamson Obua, former Ajuri MP who did not return to Parliament in the last elections. Obua served as Government Chief Whip, a position that derives its mandate from the Rules of Procedure of Parliament to mobilize NRM MPs and ensure party discipline on the floor. That docket has now been given to Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba who once held it before being elevated as Secretary General of NRM.
President Museveni has listed Hon. Denis Hamson Obua among presidential advisors although the portfolio has not yet been announced. The Paramount Chief said Obua’s service as Chief Whip and MP should be remembered as part of Lango’s contribution to national leadership.
Appreciation to President Museveni.
HRH Dr. Odongo Okune also expressed gratitude to President Museveni for what he termed a careful and deliberate selection. “We appreciate His Excellency for remembering Lango and for recognizing our leaders. This gesture strengthens unity and inclusion in national governance,” he stated.
Like Oliver Twist: Lango Asks for More in Statutory Bodies.
As Charles Dickens wrote in Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy’s Progress (1837–1839), “Please, sir, I want some more.” The line is spoken by Oliver in Chapter 2 when he asks the workhouse beadle for a second helping of gruel, and it has become iconic for humbly asking for more despite hardship.
Borrowing from this, the Paramount Chief said Lango is an Oliver Twist of service, not of greed. “More, please. Lango requests His Excellency to consider more sons and daughters of Lango for appointment to other statutory bodies, commissions, and agencies. We have competent professionals ready to serve Uganda,” HRH Dr. Okune noted.
He cited Lango’s pool of doctors, engineers, teachers, and administrators who can contribute to bodies like the Public Service Commission, Electoral Commission, Equal Opportunities Commission, and UHRC.
Context: Why the Appointments Matter.
With over 500 MPs, securing 4 cabinet slots gives Lango direct voice in policy and budget decisions for the 2026-2031 term. Engola takes on disaster response and refugee management at a time when climate shocks and regional conflicts test OPM’s capacity.
Dr. Aceng shifts from Health to ICT and National Guidance, bringing executive experience to communication and digital transformation. Santa Alum steps into economic monitoring, a role critical to tracking government programs and value for money. Dr. Lakisa enters national politics with the Youth and Children Affairs portfolio, tasked with skilling and child protection.
Stakeholders in Lira, Alebtong, Erute South,Oyam and the whole of Lango say the appointments raise expectations for tangible delivery on feeder roads, health facility staffing, youth skilling, and disaster response.
Next Steps. The appointees are expected to take oath before Parliament under Article 114 of the Constitution before assuming office. The Lango Cultural Institution says it will organize a thanksgiving prayer for the new ministers once they are sworn in.
The Exposure Uganda Editorial.
“Carry the Amuka: Lango’s Four Must Be Rhinos, Not Hyenas”
Lango has been granted a seat at the high table with four of our own: Hon. Engola, Hon Dr. Aceng, Hon. Alum, and Hon Dr. Lakisa now hold Cabinet and State Ministerial dockets. This is not luck, it is the dividend of loyalty paid when the NRM was unpopular in Lango, and of resilience when the political terrain was hostile.
But take note that elevation is a test, power reveals character. And Lango has a character it must carry to Kampala: Amuka.
In Lango, the rhinoceros is Amuka our totem. The elders call it the Chief Magistrate of the Jungle. Why? Because Amuka is clean, orderly, and deliberate. It does not start wars. It does not chase conflict. It forgives easily, walks its path with dignity, and minds its territory.
But provoke Amuka at your own risk, and you meet a force that does not retreat. Its charge is final, its defense absolute.
This is the philosophy Lango must export to Cabinet.
Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius(121-180AD) wrote: “You have power over your mind, not outside events.” A minister cannot control every slight, every whisper, every political trap. But a minister control whether he responds like Amuka or like a hyena.
The hyena has been the downfall of many leaders. It laughs at its own, fights in the shadows, and uses office as a launch pad to bite fellow leaders. The graveyard of Ugandan politics is full of hyenas who died with a thud loud, sudden, and forgotten. They won battles in the press, but lost the war of legacy. They mistook the ministry for a throne and colleagues for enemies. They ended with titles, but no honor.
To the four, and to all Lango sons and daughters in public or private portfolios: Carry the Amuka.
Be clean and organized like Amuka. The Chief Magistrate does not rule with chaos. Deliver in OPM, ICT, Economic Monitoring, and Gender with prudence, transparency, and results. Let your work be the verdict.
Be forgiving, not combative. Amuka does not trigger war. Do not turn ministerial office into a boxing ring against fellow Lango leaders. When elephants fight, the grass dies. When Lango ministers fight, it is the farmer in Alebtong, the trader in Lira City, and the youth in Oyam who bleed.
Be fierce in defense, not offense. Amuka only charges when provoked. Defend Lango’s interests, defend Uganda’s policies, defend the people’s money. But do not attack your own to look strong. A rhino that charges its herd is a rhino that dies alone.
The philosopher Lao Tzu said: “A leader is best when people barely know he exists. When his work is done, they will say: we did it ourselves.”. That is Amuka. No noise, no petty fights, just impact.
Lango has asked for “more, please” like Oliver Twist. If you carry the Amuka with pride and integrity, the answer will be “yes.” If you carry the hyena, the answer will be silence.
So let the nation say it:“Surely Lango people are great. The Amuka people are wonderful people of integrity.”
Leave your ego at the door of Cabinet. Wear the Amuka on your chest. Serve with humility, defend with courage, and build with unity.
Because history does not remember who won the argument. History remembers who left the road paved, the hospital stocked, and the youth skilled.
Be Amuka. Lango is watching.
We Expose, You Decide.
