Pomp, color, and vibrant cultural displays marked the fourth anniversary celebration of His Highness Emorimor Papa Paul Sande Emolot Etomeileng as the supreme leader of the Iteso worldwide. The grand event, hosted on Saturday at the Acunet Malaba Sports Ground in Busia County, Kenya, drew thousands of Iteso subjects from across Uganda, Kenya, and the broader diaspora.
The gathering commemorated four years since Emorimor was enthroned as the third cultural head of the Iteso Cultural Union (ICU), succeeding the late Emorimor Augustine Osuban Lemukol. Organized jointly by the ICU Kenya Chapter and the Busia County Government, the venue resonated with rhythmic ululations, the pounding of traditional Ajo drums, and the sweet melodies of Adungu instruments as Emorimor arrived at 11:00 AM. He was flanked by a ceremonial escort of over 50 clan leaders (Ateker) dressed in traditional attire featuring animal skins, ceremonial beads, and elaborate headgear.
Addressing his subjects, Emorimor delivered a passionate plea for labor rights, calling on African governments and corporate employers to guarantee safe working conditions and fair wages for laborers. He noted that many Africans face extreme hazards and severe exploitation while trying to earn a living.
“Our people across Africa are suffering at workplaces. They work in unsafe places with no helmets, no protective gear, poor pay, and long hours. Many die, and many get injured. I call upon governments, investors, and companies across Africa to provide safe working places for our people. A safe worker is a productive worker,” Emorimor stated. He emphasized that the Iteso are a diligent population serving across diverse sectors including agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and office administration throughout East Africa.
“Iteso are everywhere-in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kampala, South Sudan, in mines, and on farms. We must protect them. We want safe working places across the African continent,” he added.
Focusing on communal solidarity, Emorimor urged the Iteso community to look past geopolitical boundaries, describing the artificial divisions left behind by colonial administration as irrelevant to their shared heritage. “Iteso are one. The border at Malaba cannot divide us. Uganda Iteso and Kenya Iteso are one. Let us unite for development, education, and wealth creation,” Emorimor declared.
The international profile of the event was elevated by the presence of a wide array of traditional leaders from across Africa, including representatives of the Kabaka of Buganda, the Kinkoo of Sebei, the King of the Luhya (Wanga), the King of the Kalenjin, the King of the Maasai, King Omran Ombaiwa from Egypt, the King of Eswatini, representatives of the Zulu Kingdom, Omwenengo wa Bugwe Robert Obara Nahaama III, the King of the Bemba from Zambia, and representatives from the Ndebele Kingdom of Zimbabwe.
Speaking on behalf of the visiting traditional leaders, His Highness Peter Swilikei Kissa, the cultural leader of the Kinkoo of Sebei, commended the Ugandan administration for maintaining a conducive environment for traditional governance to thrive. “We thank the Government of Uganda, led by President Museveni, for giving room for cultural institutions. In the past, cultural institutions were banned, but now we are free to work with the government for development. We ask other African governments to also give space to cultural institutions because culture is identity,” Swilikei remarked, highlighting how his own institution actively supports state health and education initiatives.
Representing the Ugandan central government, State Minister for Education and Sports, Peter Ogwang, stressed the critical role cultural leaders play as mobilization partners for national socio-economic transformation. He asked traditional authorities to rally their communities behind state poverty-alleviation initiatives such as Universal Primary Education (UPE), Universal Secondary Education (USE), the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and the Youth Livelihood Program.
“I thank Emorimor for organizing this anniversary. I call upon cultural institutions across Africa to support government programs because government cannot do it alone. Emorimor, kings, and chiefs are closer to the people than government. Help us mobilize people to take children to school, embrace PDM and Emyooga, fight teenage pregnancy, and end early marriages,” Ogwang appealed.
The minister expressed particular concern over school dropout rates among young girls due to economic hardship and early pregnancy. “In Teso, many girls drop out at P.7 and S.2 because of pregnancy and poverty. Emorimor, your voice is powerful. Tell your people to keep girls in school. Education is key for wealth creation, and without education, there is no wealth,” Ogwang stated, reaffirming that the Ugandan government would maintain its monthly stipends, office support, and logistical backing for recognized traditional leadership.
From the Kenyan delegation, Busia Deputy County Governor Arthur Odera reiterated his administration’s commitment to promoting indigenous culture and bolstering youth development. He confirmed that the county government had formally allocated land in Amagoro for the construction of an official Iteso cultural center.
“We as Busia County respect Iteso culture. We have given land for a cultural center and shall work with Emorimor to promote education and fight teenage pregnancy, which remains high in Busia,” Odera said. Addressing the gathered delegates, he added: “Your Royal Highnesses and great people of Ateker, let us use this landmark anniversary not only to celebrate our glorious heritage but to forge an enduring economic network. The government of Kenya remains steadfast in partnering with traditional institutions to foster peace, prosperity, and unity.”
The cross-border celebration was also attended by prominent Ugandan lawmakers, including Tororo Municipality MP Shyam Jay Tanna, West Budama South MP George Oketcho, Tororo South County MP Freddrick Angura, and Tororo North County MP Simon Nicholas Owino, alongside local leaders and civic delegations from both nations.