The Lango cultural institution has announced the passing of His Royal Highness Won Nyaci Yosam Odur Ebii, the Paramount Chief of the Lango people.
He died in the early hours of Monday, November 10, 2025, at Lira University Teaching Hospital. He was 99 years old.
The revered cultural leader, who had been receiving medical care, leaves behind a legacy of peacebuilding, unity, and cultural revival that shaped over two decades of his leadership.
Born in 1926 in Akokoro Village, Apac District, Odur Ebii grew up deeply rooted in the traditions of the Lango, one of Uganda’s largest Nilotic communities.
Throughout his life, he remained committed to strengthening cultural identity, promoting education, and fostering discipline and respect for traditional values.
Elected Won Nyaci in 2003, Odur Ebii became the longest-serving Paramount Chief in modern Lango history.
His reign was marked by institutional transformation within the Lango Cultural Foundation (LCF), including his historic abdication in 2024 to pave the way for a peaceful leadership transition through a newly introduced electoral system.
Under his stewardship, the LCF launched strategic initiatives such as the 2021–2025 Development Blueprint, which prioritized education, health, and economic empowerment.
He also championed projects aimed at documenting oral histories, reviving traditional music and dances, and strengthening governance structures rooted in cultural values.
Despite health challenges in his later years, Odur Ebii remained a symbol of unity and resilience. His passing marks the end of an era for the Lango sub-region, which continues to navigate post-conflict recovery and modernization pressures.
Confirming the news, Lango Premier Frederick Ogwal Oyee described the late chief as “the voice of truth and unity for the Lango,” lauding his efforts in restoring dignity and confidence among his people.
Across Northern Uganda, tributes continue to pour in, with communities observing three days of mourning in honor of the fallen cultural icon.
Odur Ebii was preceded in death by his wife, Queen Victoria Agong, in 2011. He is survived by children, grandchildren, and an extended royal family.
In her condolence message, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, said:
“On behalf of the Parliament of Uganda and myself, I extend heartfelt condolences to the family of Apap Yosam Odur, the people of Lango, and all his friends and relatives in the wake of his passing. As we mourn his loss, we also honor his significant contributions to the region’s transformation agenda. We pay tribute to his dedication as a leader who genuinely cared for the well-being of his people. May the Lord grant his gentle soul eternal rest.”
