By Nathan Eyagu

Bukedea District – His Royal Highness Paul Sande Emolot Etomeileng, the Emorimor of the Iteso Cultural Union, has made a passionate call to clan leaders and communities across the Teso sub-region to prioritize peaceful conflict resolution, particularly over land issues, and to respect the inheritance rights of women and girls.

Speaking during a community gathering at Kabarwa Seed Secondary School in Malera Sub-county, Bukedea District, Emorimor Emolot expressed deep concern over the rising number of land-related conflicts, many of which involve close family members. He noted that these disputes have tragically led to the loss of lives and have worsened the suffering of vulnerable groups such as widows, orphans, and the elderly.

“Land has become a source of death in our families,” the Emorimor stated. “It is unacceptable that people are killing their relatives over land, yet none of us will carry it with us when we die. This must stop.”

He urged clan leaders, who play a central role in customary dispute resolution, to lead with integrity, wisdom, and compassion. “If you are entrusted with the position of clan head, you must make peace and protect the unity of the family, not to exploit disputes for personal gain,” he said.

The Emorimor also addressed the ongoing issue of gender-based discrimination in land and property inheritance, firmly stating that the Iteso cultural institution does not support the exclusion of women and girls from inheritance. “Girl children have the same rights as boys when it comes to inheritance,” he emphasized. “This cultural bias must end. As a community, we must correct this injustice.”

Beyond land issues, the Emorimor used his platform to encourage education and responsible behavior, particularly among the youth. He condemned idleness, substance abuse, and unproductive habits such as early-morning drinking, and called on parents and teachers to instill strong values in children.

He further encouraged women to actively participate in the local economy through small-scale trade and food sales, and urged families to support government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga. He stressed the importance of mindset change in overcoming poverty and highlighted domestic violence as another major barrier to development in the region.

“Poverty is not just about lack of money. It is also about how we think, how we work, and how we live together. Peaceful families and responsible citizens are the foundation of a prosperous society,” he concluded.

The Emorimor’s message resonated with many attendees, who applauded his commitment to cultural leadership rooted in justice, unity, and progress for all members of society, especially the most marginalized.