President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni held a meeting on Tuesday at State House, Entebbe with Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo and Papa Paul Sande Emolot, the Paramount Chief (Emorimor) of the Iteso Cultural Union.
During the meeting, Vice President Alupo announced that Uganda has been endorsed to host this year’s Ateker cultural festival.
The Ateker cultural festival is an annual event that unites the Ateker community, which includes the Karamojong and Iteso of Uganda and Kenya, the Turkana of Kenya, the Toposa of South Sudan, the Nyangatom of Ethiopia, and the Maasai of Tanzania.
“The Ateker cultural festival rotates annually between Kenya, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Uganda, but Uganda has never hosted it. According to the Ambassador of Ethiopia to Uganda, H.E. Etsegenet Bezabih Yimenu, this year’s festival will be held in Uganda in November,” said Vice President Alupo.
The Vice President further informed President Museveni that the festival will take place at Soroti Sports Grounds from November 27 to 29, 2024.
President Museveni expressed his support for the festival and confirmed his attendance as the Guest of Honor. He urged the leaders to promote unity and socio-economic transformation within their communities. “These people must change so that they live a better life,” he emphasized.
President Museveni cautioned the Ateker community against tribal wars, cattle rustling, and pastoral nomadism, highlighting their negative impact on development. “You are exactly one hundred and thirty years behind your other brothers. These tribal wars were prevalent in many areas; the last war between Ankole and Rwanda was in 1895. However, these wars ceased from 1900 onwards,” he said, referencing current tribal conflicts and raids among the Ateker.
Regarding nomadism, President Museveni described it as wasteful and a hindrance to development. “Children don’t get immunized, they die, they don’t go to school, there is no income. People must change so that they can live a better life,” he added.
The President also raised concerns about water issues in Karamoja, questioning why the Shs800 million allocated to each district for water projects was not being properly utilized. He tasked Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu with investigating the matter and reporting his findings.
Papa Paul Sande Emolot expressed gratitude to President Museveni and the Ugandan government for their continued support of cultural institutions. “Having this festival in Uganda is a very big opportunity for us as the Ateker people,” he said. “Your Excellency, I would also like to thank you for loving Teso. You have made us very proud in Teso,” he added.
This year’s festival aims to consolidate peace, foster team building, celebrate unity, and explore economic opportunities within the Ateker community.
The meeting was attended by Hon. Betty Amongi, Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development; H.E. Etsegenet Bezabih Yimenu, Ambassador of Ethiopia to Uganda; Members of Parliament from Karamoja and Teso; and cultural ministers from Iteso and Karamoja.