Lango Cultural Institution renews call for gov’t support to Agong Foundation SACCO
LIRA CITY, August 26, 2025 – The newly established Agong Foundation, an initiative of the Lango Cultural Institution [LCI], is seeking over Shs 450 million in government support to enhance its mission of combating poverty among women and girls in the Lango Sub-region.
The appeal was reiterated by the Won Nyaci [Paramount Chief], Dr Moses Michael Odongo Okune, during a recent meeting with President Yoweri Museveni at Lango College Playground in Lira City.
“Your Excellency, I have come with the Agong because, through her leadership, the women of Lango have formed the Agong Foundation to help fight poverty. They have drawn up a budget of Shs 450 million to support the girl child, widows, and women’s empowerment programmes across Lango, including SACCOs for women in each district,” Okune said.
He proposed that if the government could extend at least Shs 550 million, it would provide a sustainable source of funding to empower women and uplift communities in the region.
Okune went on to thank the NRM government for its continued interventions in Lango, especially in the areas of development, infrastructure, peacebuilding, and poverty reduction.
“Your Excellency, your government has played a key role in addressing poverty in Lango. Records show we have received Shs 130 billion through the Parish Development Model [PDM], benefiting approximately 128,000 households. Statisticians tell us poverty in Lango has reduced from 23.4 percent in 2021–2023 to 18.8 percent today. We are grateful,” he said.
He concluded by urging continued support to help reduce poverty levels in Lango to the national average of 16.1 percent.
In response, Museveni pledged government support to the Agong Foundation, acknowledging its significance in grassroots transformation.
Agong Foundation was launched to empower women
The Agong Foundation was officially launched in June 2025 by Dr Kenneth Omona, Minister of State for Northern Uganda. At the event, Dr Omona highlighted the critical role of women and culture in driving social transformation and encouraged unity among Lango women in the fight against poverty, a known contributor to domestic violence.
The Agong [Queen] of Lango, Margret Odongo, outlined the Foundation’s objectives, which include:Training women in cultural roles, hygiene, parenting, and gender equality; and economically empowering vulnerable groups such as single mothers, women with disabilities, and child-headed households.
“We are working to empower the women of Lango to remain strong under the cultural institution, united in fighting poverty and illnesses, which mostly affect women and children. A strong family brings up good children and supports a good husband. As women, we are the pillars who must stand firm for our families,” she said.
She added that the Agong Foundation would form local women’s groups for projects in tailoring, handicrafts, and agriculture.
“We are not even sure whether everyone has benefited from PDM, or if they understand what it is,” she remarked, expressing concern over gaps in access and awareness regarding the Parish Development Model.
With its strong cultural foundation and focus on practical empowerment, the Agong Foundation is fast becoming a grassroots movement that places women at the centre of social and economic transformation in Lango Subregion.
SACCO membership growing
Proscovia Ayo Otyek, Publicity Secretary of the Agong Foundation, thanked Museveni for his commitment to support the initiative, stating it would greatly boost the Foundation’s capacity to implement its programmes.
She noted that 175 wives of clan heads [Owitong] have already joined the Foundation’s SACCO, and registration is ongoing across the Lango Sub-region.
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