By James Alomu

Newly elected political leaders from the Teso sub-region have convened with the cultural leadership under the Iteso Cultural Union (ICU) to forge a common development agenda aimed at strengthening unity, tackling poverty and accelerating socio-economic transformation in the region.

The engagement, organised by the ICU and presided over by the Iteso cultural leader Paul Sande Emolot Etomeileng, was held during a prayer breakfast and strategic planning meeting at Soroti Hotel on March 14, 2026.

The meeting brought together members-elect of the Teso Parliamentary Group (TPG), district chairpersons under the Teso Local Government Association (TELGA), religious leaders, cultural officials and other stakeholders from across the sub-region. The gathering was intended to welcome newly elected leaders and align them with the ICU’s strategic development plan while discussing ways of restoring Teso’s socio-economic progress.

Speaking at the meeting, Bukedea Constituency MP-elect David Beecham Okwere said the engagement marked an important step toward setting the region on a unified development path. Okwere noted that he attended the meeting in two capacities as MP-elect and as a representative of Anita Annet Among, who hails from Bukedea.

“This engagement is a defining moment to set Teso on the right track because communities progress when they speak with a united voice and respect their traditions and heritage,” Okwere said.

He emphasised that leaders in the region must remain united regardless of political differences, noting that cultural identity remains the common foundation for the Iteso people. According to him, the strong attendance by MPs-elect and district leaders demonstrated a renewed commitment to collective leadership in the region.

Okwere further pledged that the office of the Speaker would work closely with the cultural institution to strengthen the ICU and support the construction of Ere Iteso, the cultural headquarters of the Iteso. He also encouraged cultural leaders to promote initiatives that strengthen the institution, including ensuring cultural visibility within homes and communities.

Tororo South County MP Fredrick Angura, who also serves as the outgoing cultural affairs coordinator of the TPG, said the engagement was important for aligning the region’s development agenda with the national development framework. Angura explained that discussions focused on harmonising the ICU’s five-year strategic development plan with government programmes so that leaders could jointly advocate for development in Teso.

“We need to synchronise the strategic development plan of the cultural institution with the national development plan so that leaders at different levels can attract government attention to the development of the region,” he said.

Soroti District LC5 chairperson-elect Bob Owiny said cultural institutions should remain a unifying platform for leaders despite political or religious differences. He noted that political leaders, religious leaders and cultural leaders all serve the same communities and must therefore work together to achieve meaningful development.

Owiny pledged that district local governments would partner with the development arm of the ICU to integrate cultural initiatives into district development plans. He also proposed that districts allocate resources to support the construction of Ere Iteso and other cultural development initiatives.

Kaberamaido County MP Alfred Edakasi said poverty remains the most pressing challenge affecting the Teso sub-region and called for deliberate efforts to transform the regional economy. He urged leaders to prioritise investments in agriculture, irrigation, fisheries and value addition over the next five years.

“Our main challenge is poverty. If we address poverty, we will automatically solve many other problems such as access to education, health services and economic opportunities,” Edakasi said.

Serere District Woman MP-elect Esther Lucy Acom Ajokotau said the regional engagement with the ICU would help shape the narrative of development in Teso. She called for such meetings to be held regularly to strengthen collaboration among leaders and thanked the Emorimor for initiating the dialogue.

Meanwhile, Kasilo County MP-elect Peter Paul Emaju said the region has significant development opportunities that must be strategically utilised. He pointed to the recently launched ferry service linking communities across Lake Kyoga as one of the infrastructure projects capable of stimulating economic growth.

Emaju also emphasised the need to complete key road projects linking Ngora and Kagwara in order to strengthen connectivity and facilitate trade across the region.

Former Usuk County MP Charles Oleng Ojok urged leaders to reconcile with their political opponents and work collectively for the development of the region. He emphasised the importance of transparency, accountability and partnership in implementing a harmonised development plan for Teso.

“One brain can be good, two brains can be better and three brains are the best. We must work together and share ideas if we want to advance development in Teso,” Ojok said.

Retired Church of Uganda bishop Charles Bernard Obaikol Ebitu also congratulated the newly elected leaders and urged them to prioritise unity in addressing the challenges facing the region. He warned that division weakens communities and undermines development efforts.

The bishop cited past collective achievements by the Iteso community, including the establishment of Teso College Aloet, Busitema University and Soroti University as examples of what unity can achieve. He also proposed the construction of a monument to recognise the historic role played by the Arrow Boys and Arrow Girls during the insurgency period in Teso.

In his closing remarks, Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot Etomeileng thanked religious and political leaders for responding to the call to discuss the future of the region. He said the meeting was meant to welcome the newly elected leaders and begin restoring the development momentum that Teso once enjoyed.

“This meeting is unique and fruitful because the attendance is higher than previous engagements, which shows that leaders are ready to serve with integrity,” he said.

The Emorimor urged leaders to prioritise education, human resource development and poverty eradication in order to restore Teso’s prosperity. He also called on Members of Parliament to lobby for key government investments in the region, including improved infrastructure, financial services such as the establishment of a Bank of Uganda branch, and support for the cultural institution.

He further appealed to leaders to avoid internal conflicts and instead work together to advance the collective interests of the Iteso people.

“Let us leave conflicts behind and focus on development because if we remain united and strategic, we can regain the glory that Teso once had,” he said.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from political, religious and cultural leaders to strengthen cooperation and maintain regular engagements to advance development priorities across the Teso sub-region.