Lango language (Uganda)

Unlike the Lango of South Sudan, Lango of Uganda although ethnically and linguistically related to the Lango of South Sudan, currently speak a Mixed language due to their proximity with Lwo people. Lango language is not a Southern Luo language or dialect cluster of the Western Nilotic language branch but Ateker, also known as the Nilo-Hamites.

The word "Lango" or Ateker is used to describe both the language spoken by the indigenous and the tribe itself.

Luo language is a distinct language for Luo peoples. Several sources show that the Lango language is not originally Luo but Ateker. They learned Luo dialect after migration to the current areas in Uganda. They currently speak broken dialects of Lwo mixed with hamitic vocabularies of their original language.

It is mainly spoken in Lango sub-region, in the North Central Region of Uganda. An orthography for it using the Latin script has been introduced and is taught in primary schools.

The origin of Lango people is strongly linked to the Karamojong and Teso speaking people.

On 27th to 29th November 2024, Lango people reunited back to the Ateker peoples. Uganda government hosted this historical event. The Lango people are not ethnically nor linguistically related to Luo peoples.