GOVERNMENT URGES LANGO LEADERS TO REMAIN CALM AS PALACE RECONSTRUCTION HITS DEADLOCK

LCC TV NEWS

The Office of the Prime Minister has appealed for patience among Lango cultural leaders following the prolonged stalemate in the reconstruction of the Ker Kwaro Lango Palace, which was gutted by fire two decades ago.

Speaking on Friday at the Lango Cultural Centre site in Lira City, Mr. Alex Kakooza, a representative from the Prime Minister’s Office, moved to allay fears regarding the stalled project, reiterating the government’s firm commitment to restoring the cultural landmark.

"The government made a pledge to support the restoration of this vital heritage site, and that commitment remains unshaken," Mr. Kakooza stated. However, he revealed that the project has been mired in administrative challenges since a contractor was engaged in 2021 under a contract valued at UGX 1.07 billion.

Mr. Kakooza attributed the current halt in construction to the contractor's abandonment of the site, a move he linked to inadequate supervision and oversight by the cultural institution’s leadership. He urged the Lango Paramount Chief, Dr. Eng. Moses Michael Odongo Okune, alongside other custodians of the institution, to re-engage with the central government to facilitate the immediate resumption of works.

In a robust critique of the project's management, Mr. Kakooza called for stringent action against the defaulting contractor. He advised the government to cancel the existing agreement and refer the company to the Anti-Corruption Unit for investigation over the project's abrupt abandonment.

"The contractors must be held accountable for the taxpayers' money that has already been allocated to this initiative," he asserted.

CULTURAL LEADERSHIP RAISES CONCERNS OVER SCOPE AND FINANCES

Responding to the government’s remarks, the Speaker of the Lango Cultural Institution, Mr. Willy Omodo Omodo, acknowledged the government's efforts but raised significant concerns regarding the project's scope and financial accountability.

Mr. Omodo clarified that the original master plan for the palace reconstruction comprised three distinct components: the main Palace structure, a museum to preserve Lango heritage, and a cultural center designed to host community events. He expressed disappointment that current discussions seem to have narrowed the focus solely to the main building, deviating from the comprehensive vision of the original plan.

"The entire concept was holistic. We are concerned that only the Palace is currently being prioritized, which was never the totality of the agreement," Mr. Omodo stated.

Furthermore, the Speaker questioned the financial transparency of the project, noting a discrepancy between the works executed on the ground and the UGX 1.4 billion that was initially released to the contractor.

"We are looking at the value for money here. The finances that were released do not commensurate with the level of development we see at the site today," he remarked.

Despite the challenges, Mr. Omodo underscored the profound significance of the restoration project, describing it as a cornerstone for both the cultural identity and socio-economic development of the Lango sub-region.

"The reconstruction of the Palace is not just about bricks and mortar; it is about restoring our dignity and preserving our history for future generations," he concluded.