LANGO CULTURAL FOUNDATION PRIME MINISTER CALLS FOR CULTURAL REVIVAL IN INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE

LANGO CULTURAL FOUNDATION PRIME MINISTER CALLS FOR CULTURAL REVIVAL IN INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE

By Ronald Alele Ongwech 

LANGO, UGANDA – In a powerful and impassioned address ahead of the 9th October 2026 Independence Day celebrations, Frederick Ogwal Oyee, the Clan Head of Inomo Clan and Prime Minister of the Lango Cultural Foundation, has issued a clarion call to his people and the wider Ugandan community to reclaim their cultural heritage, warning that the erosion of indigenous knowledge and moral values poses a significant threat to the identity and future of the nation's youth.

The central theme of the Prime Minister's message was the urgent need to preserve Uganda's "good past," invoking the timeless adage that "all is golden." He emphasized that the wisdom of previous generations, passed down through centuries, is a treasure trove that must not be lost to the annals of time.

The most critical point of Ogwal Oyee's message was the preservation of indigenous knowledge. He highlighted the ingenuity of past generations, citing examples such as the use of clay to make pots, metal to forge spears, and local herbs to treat diseases. "This was indigenous knowledge, very, very important to our communities, which we need to preserve," Ogwal Oyee stated, underscoring its role in self-sufficiency and community health.

Directly linked to this was the second major pillar of his address: the preservation of local languages. The Prime Minister stressed that language is the cornerstone of identity and communication. "We can be identified as Kumam, Acholi, Munyakole, and Langi... we were identified by our local languages," he said. "We need to use it, we need to recall so that they are stored, recall so that they should not be lost." His message serves as a direct appeal to all tribes to actively use and teach their native tongues to prevent them from becoming extinct.

Shifting his focus to the social fabric of the community, the Clan Head of Inomo delivered a sobering critique of modern trends that he said are dismantling traditional family values. He expressed deep concern over the breakdown of discipline and respect, which he described as being "very high in our communities" in the past but are now "gone."

Ogwal Oyee specifically condemned several practices he views as abominable and detrimental to societal health:

· The Marriage of Minors: He decried the modern practice of marrying off minors, contrasting it with the past when marriage was strictly between adults. He labeled this as "not good for health" and "not good for our young people."

· Incest: He reminded the community that marriage among relatives was historically forbidden, expressing alarm that incest is now occurring.

· Indecent Dressing: He lamented the shift from smart, decent dressing to what he described as provocative attire, noting the contrast between women in the past whose clothes "almost touched the ground" and today's fashion.

Finally, the Prime Minister addressed the issue of economic productivity and the work ethic. He praised the industrious nature of the past, where "everybody was hardworking to bring wealth to the family." He contrasted this with a troubling modern trend where individuals leave home early for "centres and hotels without doing anything for the family."

He urged his people to return to a culture of hard work to ensure food security and to generate wealth for educating children and adding value to local products. "We need to work very hard to ensure food security in our families," he urged.

The Independence Day message from Frederick Ogwal Oyee, Clan Head of Inomo Clan and Prime Minister of the Lango Cultural Foundation, is not merely a nostalgic reflection but a strategic roadmap for cultural and social renewal. It serves as a powerful reminder that as Uganda celebrates its independence, true freedom also lies in the preservation of its diverse cultures, languages, and values for generations to come.