Ongora Okubal, Opyen, Arim Oroba and Agoro Abwango

In pre-colonial Lango there was no standing army and no permanent chief. When clans had to defend themselves, they united under one military leader chosen by consensus, and everyone agreed to be led by him. His authority ended when the war ended: he went back to his clan and his daily work and received no special benefits.

The best-remembered leaders

• Ongora Okubal – remembered as the leader who brought the Lango to the land where they live today.
• Opyen – succeeded Ongora Okubal; he was followed by Arim Oroba.
• Agoro Abwango – led his men against the Banyoro and was killed in Bunyoro.

Helping Kabalega and Mwanga

Lango oral literature says that when the fighters who had gone to help Kabalega of Bunyoro retreated towards the Nile, they helped him and the deposed Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda cross the river. They were moved along the northern side of Lake Kwania, where a warrior called Obol Ario, of the Okwero Ngec Ayita clan from Apac, had won much of the land. He is believed to have helped bring the two kings towards Dokolo, where they settled at Kangai. Obol Ario later settled at Amac, where he died and was buried.

These stories show how Lango society joined strong clan loyalty with a deep suspicion of permanent power. They come from oral tradition as summarised in Wikipedia’s article on the Lango people.