His Royal Highness Papa Emorimor Paul Sunde Emolot Etimeileng has secured a historic education package for the Teso sub-region after a high-level meeting with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at State House Entebbe on Wednesday.
Fresh from a week-long diplomatic tour of South Africa, the Iteso paramount chief was received by the President for a marathon session that focused on education, cultural heritage, and youth empowerment. According to Mr. Stephen Ojacor the Iteso Cultural Union's Information’s Minister, the talks yielded unprecedented opportunities for Teso’s young people, marking a major breakthrough in the region’s quest for improved access to higher learning.
Central to the discussion was Emorimor’s appeal for aviation scholarships at the Soroti Civil Aviation Authority Flying School, an institution located on Iteso ancestral land.
“Your Excellency, my subjects are asking for the opportunity to produce pilots who will, in future, return to develop home through that flying school,” the paramount chief said.
President Museveni responded positively, sealing an agreement to sponsor five fully funded Iteso students every academic year at the prestigious flight school. The initiative is expected to open doors for aspiring pilots from Teso who have long faced financial and technical barriers to aviation training.
The meeting also revived long-dormant scholarship programs under the Ministry of Teso Affairs. Museveni immediately reinstated 255 government scholarships for Teso students and pledged two additional State House science scholarships per district annually under the stewardship of the Iteso Cultural Union.
“I love the people of Teso and I have admired your leadership and vision,” the President said. “Education is key for a better future, and I commend the Emorimor for championing this cause.”
These commitments collectively place more than 300 students from Teso on full government sponsorship, a feat not seen in decades and hailed as a lifeline for families struggling with the rising cost of tertiary education.
Beyond education, President Museveni recognized the cultural significance of the Iteso institution by pledging to construct a modern residential palace for the Emorimor at Koitangiro in Mela Sub-County, Tororo District.
“You are now very powerful and you have shown the Iteso the right way,” Museveni remarked. “You deserve a powerful residence worthy of your leadership.”
The President also committed to financially support the Emorimor’s third coronation anniversary, scheduled for October 2025 in Bukedea District. The celebration will double as the launch of the Emorimor Education Fund, an initiative aimed at raising community resources to uplift learning standards across Teso.
Emorimor emphasized that education remains his top priority for empowering the next generation.
“I am battling to create education opportunities everywhere. It is my vision to raise the value of our children, and this I can only achieve through an emphasis on education,” he told reporters after the meeting.
Community leaders and education advocates across the region have welcomed the agreements as a “turning point” for Teso. They point to chronic underfunding of schools and limited access to tertiary opportunities as key obstacles to development. The new package, they say, provides a concrete path to producing pilots, engineers, and scientists who can drive innovation and local economic growth.
As the Emorimor prepares to mark his third coronation anniversary, the combination of scholarships, infrastructure promises, and cultural support stands out as one of the most comprehensive government interventions for Teso in recent memory.
For thousands of students and parents across the region, the State House meeting was more than a courtesy call, it was the dawn of a new chapter in Teso’s educational journey, ensuring that talent and ambition will no longer be limited by financial means.
