By Ariong Moses

Teso has always been known as the land of the wise men and women from the east. This tag did not come by accident. Iteso have indeed been the most educated, most dedicated, most trust worthy and very transparent and reliable individuals as far as the narratives go in Uganda - one of the most ethnically diverse countries on planet earth.

These traits came to be recognized by white colonial administrators who admired the way Iteso carried themselves and how they exhibited knowledge and leadership abilities. 

It is said that one of the governor's wrote to the queen and reccomended  that Iteso be given power to manage the country as the British were preparing to give Uganda it's independence in 1962.

 
Independence - the reckoning.

As the British were exiting Uganda, deeper conversations emerged on who would lead the post independence government. A merger between two political parties, Uganda National Congress (UNC) and the Uganda Peoples Union (UPU) led to the birth of the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) in 1960.

The conversation shifted to who would lead this new party (UPC), and the name of an Etesot was on top of the list. Why? Because of the respect everyone had for Iteso when it comes to having the right knowledge and wisdom required to lead the country.

Instead, the said Etesot stood up during the conference where he was nominated to lead the party, and instead chose to nominate the former President Obote, for his "eloquence and likeability". Obote then accepted the nomination and took charge of UPC, eventually receiving the tools of power from the British in 1962.

 The love for Obote and it's effects to Teso

Since 1962, the Iteso expressed their undying love for President Obote. He had managed to discover the bottom end of the hearts of Iteso and found his dwelling place and warmth in the fresh flowing blood of Iteso.

We fought for the man, cried for the man, died for Obote, fasted for Obote, and lost everything for Obote.

 When Amin Ousted him, we quickly joined groups to fight Amin and get Obote back. We refused to cooperate with Amin to join the dining table as most of the country was enjoying the meal. 

Once Amin got out, our beloved Obote was back and we were at it again, praise singing and worshiping the man like a god. We had found our ultimate kind of leader.

The Tito Okello group quickly threw Obote out due to the disorganisation of his government - within 4 years. We again joined groups to "Bring Obote Back". A certain Major Odora also begun looting our cattle and motivated us to fight to bring Obote back.

 The NRA_ A new group at a wrong time and place for Iteso

Then came President Museveni and his NRA. That was not Obote and so we had to fight him too. We lost everything in the process but we never gave in. 

Even when Obote died, some did not believe it. When they finally believed it, they learnt that he had a son called Akena who would now replace his father. 

We were in that state of impaired vision for decades. As the rest of the country was moving forward, we never took a step anywhere else, Obote was all we needed.

 The NRM had to find it's way to Teso by defeating those fighting, while the rest of country resisting the NRA negotiated for peace and got their people jobs and guarantees to be part of this government.

 What does the future hold?

Today, Uganda is at it again, discussing about a transition after 40 years of Museveni rule. This is more like what transpired back in the 1960s as the country was building consensus to take power from the British.

While NUP is gaining traction as the next best alternative to NRM, Teso seems to be finding another "Obote" to bet their lives, property and the future on. We forgot what this kind of attitude and undertaking did for us over the years.

As every region is lining up to the reality of having another group in power, Teso is behaving like a newly married man enjoying the warmth of his bed and the mosquito free nights. But in this case, the bliss may be shortlived since the wife is in the evening of her life, we married an  old woman for convenience.

What is Teso presenting to the table during this transition talks? Who is speaking for Iteso and where are these discussions happening? What does Teso want for the future of its children and grand children?

The "Obote" moment should never be repeated again for the good of Ateker and it's future, I beg.

The Writer is a NUP Flagbearer for Amuria County MP seat