By KT Reporter
Leaders of the Eling clan, one of the prominent clans in the Lango Sub-region, have imposed a total fine of Shs900,000 and six goats on six clan members accused of incest. The decision was reached during a clan meeting held on Friday at Bung Teduka Cell in Aduku Town Council.
Clan elders resolved that each of the six cousins pay Shs150,000 and one goat after they were found guilty of engaging in sexual relations with close relatives, an act that contravenes Lango cultural norms.
Those fined are Gerald Oruru (25), Akello Tabica (23), Okello Fred, Akello Irene (21), Olomo Jasper (19), and Acan Immaculate (18), all residents of Adyeda Parish in Aduku Sub-County.
Tom Oruru, the Sub-Clan Chief (Jago) of the Eling clan in charge of Iwal Parish in Atongtidi Sub-County, said the suspects were apprehended during an overnight operation conducted on Thursday night following a two-week surveillance.
He explained that the operation was launched after reports emerged that the cousins were involved in incestuous relationships, which he said are strictly forbidden under clan customs.
According to Oruru, the relationships had reportedly been ongoing for about two years before the matter came to the attention of clan authorities. He added that after the fines were imposed, the offenders were subjected to flogging and cleansing rituals aimed at preventing generational curses within their families.
“We conducted a crackdown operation following numerous reported cases of incest. During the operation, six people were apprehended, heavily punished, and subjected to cleansing rituals in line with Lango tradition.”
Michael Oruru, the Minister in charge of Cultural Affairs at Eling, said the clan continues to register an alarming number of incest cases. He blamed the trend on negligence by some clan leaders and parents, urging them to take greater responsibility in guiding young people.
Meanwhile, Alex Okello, the Minister in charge of Blood Compensation within the clan, warned that incest is contributing to increased cases of sickle cell disease and mental illness in families across the Lango Sub-region. He called on clan leaders to decisively condemn and eliminate the practice.
“The outcome of incest is the high prevalence of sickle cell disease in the community.”
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