In a letter shared with the ICU cabinet on Wednesday, Okwi said that he has returned to active political activities, especially since the party primaries are commencing early this year.
The scheme will be launched in April 2025 and will cater for the bright but needy students who have failed to join higher learning institutions. It’s expected to provide certificate and university courses, including vocational training, to students who will be recommended by their clan leaders.
David Pulkol, an elder from Karamoja who presented the memo to President Yoweri Museveni and representatives of heads of state from Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Ethiopia, emphasized the need to consolidate peace and security in the region by ensuring that the respective governments collectively embark on disarming all communities possessing illegal firearms in the Ateker region.
The Ateker Reunion Festival, which will last for three days, brings together all Ateker communities from Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. The event has also attracted guests from Turkey and South Africa.
The State Minister for Disabilities, Hellen Asamo told the Ateker leaders to champion innovations and mindset change that will empower the communities economically. According to Asamo, the Ateker clusters are identical to poverty amidst the vast resources in their possessions.
The Ateker Reunion Festivals brings on board all the Atekerin clusters believed to have migrated from Abyssinia in Ethiopa and spread across the East African states of Kenya, Southern Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. Like the Karimojong and the Iteso in Uganda, Ateker means 'clan' or 'tribe.'
Andrew Ocole, the Prime Minister of the Iteso Cultural Union, highlighted key areas of focus in the strategic plan, including socio-economic transformation, educational sponsorship, environmental protection, and strengthening the office of Emorimor through collaborative linkages.
Reports indicate that Gen. Elwelu, joined by religious leaders such as Dr. Moses Odongo, Archbishop of the National Fellowship of Born-Again Pentecostal Churches, and Bishop James Israel Tukei of Light Resurrection Ministries, camped at the site for two days, offering prayers and performing a cleansing ceremony. Elwelu stated that he had a divine revelation linking the region's challenges, including the "night gangs" known as Owokiwok (the Shakers), to rituals performed at the site.
Over 270 Christians from Christ Disciples’ Church reportedly left their homes in Serere and Ngora districts in February under unclear circumstances for missionary work in Ethiopia. It later emerged that the then spokesman of the Iteso Cultural Union Gabriel Opolot Ononge had aided the movement of the missionaries after authoring a letter of clearance to the authorities
The Minister for Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Betty Amongi in the General Notice No. 2158 of 2022 dated December 9, 2022, to The Uganda Gazette indicated that Emolot is now the new Paramount Chief for the Iteso.
In August, the Soroti Resident Judge, Justice Henry Adonyo issued a temporary injunction restraining Paul Sande Emolot and John Francis Okuma, the former ICU Council chairperson and Speaker respectively from performing any cultural duties related to ICU.
When contacted by our reporter, Omome said that they have defied the court decision because it is biased. Omome and other members of Emolot’s leadership argue that while the court has barred them from conducting any cultural activities, the other faction led by William Alloch, the Chairperson of ICU Founder members is progressing with their cultural activities.
A cross-section of religious leaders drawn from Uganda and Kenya are leading the new drive which will start with an interdenominational prayer breakfast slated for August 20, 2022. This is informed by the sharp divisions that marred the succession processes of the former Emorimor, Augustine Osuban Lemukol who died in February 2022.
Emmanuel Edulu, the Director of Akogo Concepts Ltd, which is behind the campaign, says that they expect to plant over 50 million different tree species in the targeted areas. He says the move is geared toward restoring the environment, which has been affected by human activities.
The Soroti High Court Assistant Registrar, Jessica Chemeri issued the orders on Monday after hearing of an application filed by the founder members of ICU early last month. The applicants are William Alloch Akoll, Joseph Okadapao, Martin Alfred Aruo, Stephen Enokokin, Joyce Asekenye, Polly Apio and Lydia Agoda.
The controversy follows the suspension of ICU Council by the former Emorimor, Augustine Osuban Lemukol over the alleged irregularities and inconsistencies during the 2019 election. ICU Cabinet and the harmonization committee, also appointed by the former Emorimor, recommended for an audit into the said elections before council is constituted to spearhead the election process of replacing Osuban.
The ICU Cabinet led by Augustine Omare- Okurut was conspicuously absent during the ICU council meeting. Omare and his group insist that the ICU Council is not legitimate since the former Emorimor had suspended it before his death.
