The Luo United Communities Organization (LUCO) held its second annual conference on August 15, 2009, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with a sharpened theme articulating its identity and purpose: “Luos value intellect, hard work, excellence, accountability, and commitment to results,” said chairman of the LUCO Board of Directors, Okall Langu, in his opening statement. LUCO’s inaugural first annual conference was also held in Sioux Falls in 2008. South Dakota sub chairman, Metho Metho, opened the 2009 conference. 

LUCO was founded in the United States in 2007 as a social organization unifying the African ethnic descendants of a common heritage known as the Luo. United States President Barrack Obama hails from the Luo heritage, his father having been a Luo of Kenya. The Luo are a family of ethno-linguistically related communities descended from the present day regions encompassing southern Sudan, northern Uganda, eastern Congo (DRC), western Kenya, northern Tanzania, and western Ethiopia.

In 2007, a group of Luos living in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, contemplated a restoration of the unity of the Luos all over the world. That vision culminated into the conception and birth of LUCO. In this its second year, LUCO spearheads the efforts of member affiliates in other states across the United States and Canada. In its growth, the drive behind unification and promotion of Luo values has strengthened the development of LUCO identity and expansion.

If the theme of the first annual conference in 2008 was formation and inauguration, the theme of the 2009 second annual conference was identity and direction. “We aim to foster and enhance ties among the Luo communities in North America and across the world,” said LUCO president, Okaj Maywen, in his welcoming speech. Maywen told the delegates that registered members and their families would find social, cultural, and emotional support in LUCO; and that LUCO would take pride in showcasing the contributions and accomplishments made by members and fellow Luos in bettering their communities around the world.

Nelson Ungang of the Michigan delegation, paraphrasing President Okaj’s theme that Luo is not a tribe but a way of life, challenged the LUCO leadership to inspire members to make enduring commitments to Luo identity and cultural values. Also from Michigan, Phillip Ubur illuminated the significance of the second annual conference as being the bestowal of identity: “the importance of today is that it has helped us to understand ourselves, to know who we are, and to articulate what we stand for,” said Ubur. “As states LUCO motto, we stand to nurture Luo kinship,” Ubur continued.

Among others giving comments included delegations from Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Connecticut, Missouri, South Dakota, North Dakota, Illinois, and Canada. They praised the work done thus far by the office of the Secretary General in communication and information, connecting LUCO members via networks and teleconferences. The Iowa delegation through sub chairman Valentino Orrai suggested that LUCO adopt a framework to inculcate in Luo youth a thirst for education and a quest for knowledge.

The sole lady delegates, LUCO founder member Pia Iko of Nebraska and LUCO Board member Rawda Keir of South Dakota, enthused the audience when they commented on their roles as representatives of the women constituency in LUCO. Iko, rising to greet the audience with just a simple ‘Hi’ lamented the scarce attendance of women at the plenary sessions of the conference and wondered “where most of my sisters are during these vital sessions because as I know Luo, Luos don’t come from men only, Luos come from men and women; and men and women perpetuate the Luo generation—Where are the women here?”

Rawda Keir encouraged “women sisters to talk to our men brothers to support our participation in LUCO activities” and “for our men brothers to encourage us to participate, and to understand that we need to and must participate.” Keir said the issue of women participation was an urgent matter which required the attention of LUCO administration. Keir later coordinated and led a fundraising revue during the social phase of the conference, which turned out a success.

The social phase of the conference comprised entertainment by cultural arts performers and the munching on authentic Luo dishes, courtesy of the South Dakota Luo women community cooks. There were exotic dance performances by the Chuluk, Acholi, and an amalgam of singing, whistling, and uniquely choreographed native dances and talent shows from various other Luo communities. In attendance were participants from across North America and Canada. President Maywen encouraged everybody to play their part however small to advance LUCO, because every part counts, and with these, Obang Jobi “Kello,” who is host of Anyuak Media volunteered to take on LUCO publicity through the airwaves to get out the word about LUCO to others not present at the conference. Others not mentioned here but equally deserving mention commented on or volunteered for various responsibilities to propagate LUCO maturation.

The conference planning committee led by program chair Opiew Owar closed the 2009 second annual conference with three immediate resolutions already approved by the Board:

1. for LUCO to institute immediate planning for the 2010 third annual conference, and for potential host communities to prepare to submit requisite applications;
2. for LUCO Language Project coordinator Lwanyo Padiet to speed up consultations with responsible parties toward making a standard Luo language the universal language or lingua franca of communication within the LUCO member ancestral regions, and for Padiet to report to LUCO from time to time the status of his progress—LUCO resolved in principle to be a partner with others in the funding of the Luo language project; and
3. for the Board to appoint a LUCO liaison to oversee the issue of comprehensive participation by Luo women in LUCO governance and activities.

Contacts for more information:

Sophia Anyomoali, LUCO Secretary at

Okall Langu, LUCO Chairman of the Board of Directors at