On Friday 23rd March 2023, the third Emorimor (King) of Iteso, His Highness, Paul Sande Etomeileng Emolot presented his first substantive cabinet to the Council of Iteso Cultural Union (ICU) for approval.
His Highness Paul Sande Emolot succeeded the Second Emorimor Papa Iteso, the late Augustine Lemukol Osuban was passed on in February of 2022. He first assumed office when the ICU council installed him as the Interim Emorimor. He then underwent an electoral process culminating into his coronation in October 2022 and subsequent gazettement as Emorimor Papa Iteso III by the government of Uganda on the 16th of November 2022.
During the occasion, the Emorimor first paid tribute to the founding members of Iteso Cultural Union, requesting all in attendance to stand up to observe a minute of silence to the fallen founders, especially, the fallen Emorimor, Augustine Lemukol Osuban.
The Emorimor acknowledged that during the transition, there were challenges and some mistakes could have been made, adding that let the mistakes be precious lessons, taken for the good of the future operations. He further implored for forgiveness, since mistakes are human and it is through mistakes that one growth.
The Emorimor thanked the Council for placing trust on him, pledging never to let them down and affirming that the events of the day heralded the start of a new chapter.
He thanked the government of Uganda, led by His Excellency, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the line Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development for creating enabling environment for operation of Cultural Institutions and particularly supporting the Iteso Cultural Union during the process of his election, coronation and gazettement.
He pledged to set a day for a shared celebration with the government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Labour, Gender and Social Development.
However, Emorimor decried the poor conditions of living facing the Iteso at present such as the increased cancer cases, that point to a problem in the standard of life the Iteso are leading today, pledging to work with government to fight poverty in Teso, revealing that the Minister of Agriculture in the institution is already working on a very good program of water for production.
He advised that for Iteso to return to a proud standing, there is need to prioritize unity, revealing that he called out to the dissenting voices just 2 days after his coronation, requesting them to come back home such that there is a return to work as a united people.
The Emorimor revealed that the pool of Advisers, Ministers and the Palace construction committee he has assembled is of experienced experts that he believes shall return pride to Iteso.
He announced that last year he had the honor of being elected as Chairperson of Kings and Queens in Africa, but because of the challenges that surrounded the coronation ceremony, he was unable to invite other royal dignitaries.
He added that the royal Queens and Kings shall be having a convention in Mombasa Kenya between 24th and 29th of May 2023. He hopes ICU shall be able to send a team to Mombasa but further announced that the royal teams shall proceed to Teso for a visit to ICU between the 1st and 4th of June 2023. He has already notified government for support.
The Emorimor urges the incoming Cabinet and Council to work together to establish source of funds from the grassroots to other echelons so as to realize the funds and other resources that shall improve the operations of Iteso Cultural Union.
He directed the new Cabinet to draw a program for his visit to all areas where Iteso are, adding that the Iteso now have four (4) voices, that of the Vice President, That of the Speaker, that of the Secretary General of NRM who are all from Teso and that of Emorimor.
He said that these voices can motivate the government to fast-track programs such as the compensation to the people of Teso that lost their cattle during the insurgencies.
He called upon men to join their wives in productive activities such as garden work instead of wasting time in trading centres and ordered that no school going child should be found without going to school in any village, challenging parents to sacrifice to ensure that children are in school.
He announced that all initiatives that were started during the transition period without following the dure process such as the SACCO and other groups using the name of Iteso Cultural Union without following normal procedure should suspend operations, work with the Prime Minister to obtain council clearance before they resume any activities.
He however decried the negative reporting related to the alleged disappearance of people subscribing to the Christ Disciples Church, adding that as a parent institution, welcome everyone’s and if an introductory letter was given to them, it doesn’t constitute a passport and government has capacity to bring these people to book if their activities are illegal.
He argued Iteso not to be derailed by these developments, not to get disunited but to keep in unity.
The Emorimor presented the Right Honorable Prime Minister, Omome Vanancio Vance Akipileng, who was unanimously approved by council.
The prime minister proceeded to present the rest of the members of cabinet, comprising the Deputy Prime Ministers, Advisors, Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Ambassadors and Ere Iteso (Palace) Constriction Committee, that were also approved by Council.