By Our Reporter 

SOROTI – His Royal Highness Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot Etimeileng today addressed a delegation of Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and Resident City Commissioners (RCCs) from the Teso Sub-region, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts to address pressing developmental issues within the area.

The meeting, held at the Emorimor’s office in Soroti City, brought together key stakeholders from the local government and the Iteso Cultural Union to discuss a broad range of issues, including security, child protection, education, land disputes, culture, and economic development. 

In his address, Emorimor emphasized the importance of tackling child safety following the tragic ritualistic murder of a young pupil at Jozan Nursery and Primary School in Soroti. Expressing his deep concern, he urged for increased efforts by parents, teachers, and caregivers in ensuring that children are protected from harm. He called for a large-scale sensitization campaign to raise awareness about the need for a safe and secure environment for children.

"We must wage war against child abuse and ensure a safe environment for children," Emorimor stated firmly, reiterating his commitment to protecting vulnerable young people in the region.

Security issues were also a major focus of the meeting, with Emorimor calling for swift action to address the rising incidences of killings and violence, much of which he attributed to land disputes and the growing influence of criminal youth gangs, including Owikiwok and Ikok. He urged security agencies to work in tandem with clan heads to resolve these issues, emphasizing that addressing these security gaps was crucial for fostering peace and stability.

Land disputes, which have contributed to increasing tensions in Teso, were flagged as an urgent concern by Emorimor. He pledged to collaborate with clan leaders and government officials to mediate and find lasting solutions to the ongoing conflicts.

Education also topped the agenda, with Emorimor stressing the importance of reducing high school dropout rates in the region, despite the existence of government programs like Universal Primary Education and Universal Secondary Education. He called for greater investment in education and more efforts to ensure that students not only enroll but also complete their studies.

“Education is key to the future of this region,” he remarked, underscoring the need for all children to have access to quality education, regardless of their background.

The meeting received strong support from the attending RDCs and RCCs, who commended Emorimor for his leadership and his active role in fostering collaboration between the Iteso Cultural Union and the government. Soroti Resident District Commissioner, Paul Eseru, emphasized the importance of the meeting, pledging continued efforts to support the region's development.

"We will continue working together with His Royal Highness and all stakeholders to bring about sustainable development for Teso," Eseru stated.

As the region looks to tackle its challenges, the collaboration between traditional leadership and government authorities marks a pivotal moment in addressing the pressing issues facing Teso Sub-region.