The Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has ordered the immediate recall of Dickson Ogwang Okul, a diplomat stationed in Sudan, following a controversial incident where he brandished a firearm during a community meeting. Ogwang, who held the rank of Foreign Service Officer Grade II, has been instructed to hand over his duties and report to the ministry headquarters in Kampala for further directives.
The recall, outlined in a letter dated November 20, 2024, was issued by Vincent Waiswa Bagiire, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary. This follows an altercation at the Lango Cultural Centre in Lira, where Ogwang allegedly drew a pistol in the presence of Lango clan leaders. The leaders were convening to plan the Ateker Festival, an event set to take place later this month in Soroti.
Ogwang’s attendance at the meeting sparked tension, as some participants accused him of meddling in the ongoing dispute over the position of Won-Nyaci (Paramount Chief) of the Lango cultural institution. Despite calls for him to leave, Ogwang insisted he had been formally invited and refused to depart.
Disciplinary Action Underway
Prior to the recall, Bagiire had written to Ogwang demanding an explanation for his actions, which were deemed a violation of Uganda’s Public Service Standing Orders. The letter also questioned why Ogwang was in Uganda without official clearance.
“While permission was granted for you to travel to Uganda earlier this year and subsequently to South Africa, no authorization was issued for your current absence from your duty station in Port Sudan,” the letter stated. Additionally, the ministry has halted Ogwang’s allowances pending further investigation.
The Permanent Secretary has also requested clarification from the
