By Our Reporter 

Kumi District - The revered cultural leader of the Iteso people, His Highness Papa Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot, is set to embark on a highly anticipated three-day cultural tour of Kumi District starting Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

The Iteso Cultural Union (ICU) has officially confirmed the tour, which aims to promote unity, strengthen clan systems, and mobilize grassroots efforts around education, health, and cultural preservation.

The tour, which will span Kumi Municipality, Kanyum County, and Kumi County, is being heralded as a defining moment in the cultural awakening of the Iteso people in Eastern Uganda. Community members, cultural leaders, school authorities, and health facility administrators are preparing to host Papa Emorimor and his delegation with warmth and enthusiasm.

According to the itinerary released by the ICU Prime Minister Andrew Ocole, the cultural tour begins in Kumi Municipality on Tuesday, June 17th. His Highness will first visit Kotipe Health Center III at 10:00AM, followed by stops at Baaza Primary School, Kumi Health Center IV, and Kumi Orthopedic Center.

The day will culminate with a grand rally at Wiggins Secondary School at 3:00PM, where Papa Emorimor is expected to deliver a keynote address on the relevance of cultural identity in modern development.

On Thursday, June 19th, the tour moves to Kanyum County, starting with a visit to Kakure Primary School in Mukongoro at 10:00AM, then Agaisa Schools, Ojie Memorial Secondary School, and finally, Kanyum Comprehensive Secondary School.

Each visit will include traditional performances, community interaction sessions, and the presentation of ICU programs related to education and clan-based conflict resolution.

The final leg of the tour, on Friday, June 20th, will take His Highness to Kumi County, where the first visit is scheduled for the remote Tiisai Island at 10:00AM, with a gathering at Tiisai Primary School. He will then proceed to Nyero Rock High School for a brief engagement, before concluding the day at Ogooma Primary School.

“The purpose of this tour is deeply rooted in our desire to reconnect with our people at the grassroots level,” said Andrew Ocole, ICU’s Prime Minister. “We are focusing on mobilization, cultural preservation, and public sensitization on critical issues like clan administration and land dispute resolution. We also aim to emphasize support for education and economic development.”

The tour comes at a time when traditional institutions in Uganda are playing increasingly pivotal roles in promoting peace, harmony, and social development within their respective regions. The Iteso Cultural Union, under the stewardship of Emorimor Emolot, has been active in addressing community grievances, especially around land ownership, clan conflicts, and youth unemployment.

Cultural experts believe this visit will reignite pride among the Iteso and offer young people an opportunity to learn directly from their leaders.

“Having the Emorimor visit schools and health centers is symbolic. It shows that cultural leadership is not static; it moves with the people,” said Dr. Juliet Akol, a historian from Kumi University.

Residents across Kumi District are already mobilizing in large numbers, preparing cultural songs, traditional attire, and presentations that reflect the rich heritage of the Iteso. Local leaders have welcomed the gesture as timely and necessary for cementing the community’s unity amidst rising challenges.

“This is a celebration of who we are,” said Rev. Simon Ekadu of Kumi County. “It is an invitation to come together, not only in song and dance, but also in dialogue and development.”

The ICU has extended an open invitation to all members of the public to attend and participate actively in the events. The message is clear: “Let us unite in the spirit of Iteso and uphold our identity.”

The cultural tour promises to be a unifying and uplifting experience, strengthening the Iteso people’s resolve to preserve their traditions while embracing modern opportunities.