By Our Reporter 

Soroti city - The Iteso Cultural Union (ICU) has ascended to national prominence, officially ranked as the second-best performing cultural institution in Uganda, only trailing the historic Buganda Kingdom.

This recognition, delivered by the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon. Betty Amongi, comes as a strong endorsement of the transformative leadership of His Highness Papa Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot Etomeileng and the ICU leadership.

Speaking during her monitoring and evaluation visit to the ICU offices, Minister Amongi applauded the Union’s dedication to cultural development and unity.

 “I am glad to inform you that the Iteso Cultural Union is currently ranked second in the country, just after Buganda, in terms of performance, this is a result of structured leadership, community involvement, and a clear cultural vision,” she stated.

She added that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni himself is impressed by the leadership style and accomplishments of Emorimor Emolot, especially in promoting peace, unity, and socio-cultural development across Teso sub-region and beyond.

Among the ICU’s key achievements is the historic Ateker Re-Union Festival, held in November 2024 in Soroti City, which brought together Ateker-speaking communities from across Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan, and Ethiopia. The festival not only celebrated shared heritage but also renewed cross-border cultural ties, putting Teso on the global cultural map.

 Minister Amongi acknowledged the festival as a “landmark event that demonstrated the strength and cohesion of the Iteso under visionary leadership.”

During the unveiling of the institution’s annual report, ICU Prime Minister Andrew Ocole detailed a series of activities conducted throughout the 2024–2025 financial year. These included the Ecomai Cooking Festival in Katakwi, which revived and promoted traditional Iteso culinary practices, numerous cultural tours across districts, and the grand celebration of Emorimor’s coronation anniversary. Ocole noted that these events were not just ceremonial, but vehicles for education, cultural preservation, and economic stimulation.

Education and social welfare have also featured prominently in the ICU’s agenda. Through the newly launched Teso Education Fund, 15 students are currently under full sponsorship at Makerere University, with plans to extend support to many more underprivileged learners.

The Union has also spearheaded campaigns to sensitize clan leaders on peaceful land dispute resolutions, an issue affecting many communities in the region.

In terms of logistics and infrastructure, ICU has secured its own land title for the upcoming construction of a modern cultural palace. Architectural plans have been drawn, and with new transport equipment including a van and repaired vehicle, the institution’s operations have improved significantly. Additionally, new tents and farming inputs such as seeds have been distributed to empower local farmers.

In a message of gratitude, His Highness Papa Emorimor thanked the Ugandan government for continued financial support, reaffirming the ICU’s commitment to transparency, progress, and cultural dignity. 

“This recognition is not mine alone; it belongs to all Iteso, both at home and abroad, who believe in our journey,” he said.

The ICU’s momentum paints a promising future, not just for the Iteso, but for cultural institutions across Uganda seeking to balance heritage with progress.