Life History of the Late His Highness Yosam Odur Ebii

Personal Details

Full Title: His Highness Yosam Odur Ebii
Date of Birth: 26 September 1926
Place of Birth: Awila, Akokoro Sub-county, Apac District
Father: Israel Ebii
Mother: Dolotia Atino
Clan: Atek Omwonpel
Date of Passing: 10 November 2025

Family

Siblings

Eseza Atima (RIP)
Vitorino Okello (RIP)

Children

Christopher Polycarp Okwelle (RIP)
Shaban Ebii (RIP)
Atima (RIP)
Robert Ebii (RIP)
George Sunday Atim (RIP)
Perupetua Akullo (RIP)
Margaret Akao (RIP)
Fred Ogwal (RIP)
Agnes Auma (RIP)
Anthony Olobo
Dorothy Atino
Fiona Konga (RIP)
Daphne Alobo

Grandchildren

Christine Angom
Racheal Akullu
Caroline Atino
Isaac Ebii
Emmanuel Nyangkori
Michael Odur
Sarah Akany
Peter Ogwal
Isaac Ogwang
Rita Angom
Stella Akullo
Barbara Atino
Salome Akullo
Hudson Ocen
George Opio (RIP)
Richard Odur
Joyce Lucky Akao
Sharon Adongo
Risper Angom
Andrew Odur
Rukia Aceng
Saleh Aremo
Ruth Akao
Esther Kica
Daniel Okwelle
Gabriel Otim
Derrick Otim
Jonathan Rwot Twero
Tobby Econga
Shadrach Ebo Kalen
Amara Kate Elizabeth
Ronnie Odur (RIP)
Abel Oder
Faith Alobo
Juliet Adongo
Susan Akello
Ocen Opondo
Omodo
Winnie Angom
Sarah Akullo
Akello Semmy
Aloka Alex

Great-grandchildren: 75

Educational Background

Adyegi Primary School – Atura (1933–1936)
Ibuje Junior – Apac (1937–1939)
Boroboro Junior – Lira (1941–1945)
Kabalega Junior – Masindi (1946 – one year)
Joined the priesthood in 1947, but discontinued on the advice of his mother because they were only two sons.
Arapai Agricultural College – Soroti (Joined in 1948)

Employment and Service

Civil Service Career (1952–1979)

In 1952, His Highness Yosam Odur joined the Ministry of Agriculture as an Assistant Agricultural Officer. He served mainly in the field, training farmers and promoting better agricultural practices across Lango.

Through his dedication to extension work and his close relationship with the farming communities, he earned the affectionate nickname “Odur Puni.”

He served in several areas in Lango, including:

Loro – Oyam District (1952–1958)
Minakulu – Oyam District (1959–1963)
Omoro – Alebtong District (1964–1972)
Chegere – Apac District (1973–1979)

After many years of public service and community engagement, he retired from civil service in 1979.

Political Leadership (1980–1985)

After retirement from civil service, he joined active politics and served as a Constituency Secretary from 1980 to 1985, continuing his commitment to public leadership and community development.

Cultural Leadership

Around 1987, he was elected as the first Clan Leader of Atek Omwonpel.
Together with fellow elders and leaders, he championed the revival of cultural leadership and traditional institutions in Lango.
With support from ActionAid and other partners, they organised the process for electing a Paramount Chief (Won Nyaci) of Lango.
In about 1995, he was elected as the 4th Won Nyaci (Paramount Chief) of Lango.
On 10 December 2005, the Government of Uganda officially installed him as the Won Nyaci of Lango, recognising his role and leadership.
He served with dignity, unity, and commitment to the welfare of the Lango people until his passing on 10 November 2025.

“A father, leader, and cultural pillar of Lango – his legacy of unity, service, and wisdom will be remembered for generations.”