By Our Reporter
Soroti – Democratic Party President and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, has met with His Highness Paul Sande Emorimor, the Iteso Paramount Chief, to deliberate on key challenges affecting the Teso sub-region.
During the high-level discussion, the two leaders tackled delayed cattle compensation, human rights violations, economic development, security, education, and child safety.
Mao emphasized the crucial role of cultural institutions in governance and decision-making, recalling how the Iteso Cultural Union played a pivotal role in peace talks during the 2002 Lord’s Resistance Army insurgency.
"The government is committed to working with cultural institutions in delivering services to the people because they play a key role," Mao stated.
He reaffirmed the government's recognition of cultural institutions and stressed the need for consultation with traditional leaders on development programs such as the Parish Development Model.
On his part, Emorimor highlighted the urgent need to fast-track cattle compensation, which has caused frustration among elders. He also called for justice in the murder case of a pupil at Jozan Nursery and Primary School, emphasizing the need for swift legal action.
The Iteso Paramount Chief further urged the government to increase investment in education, create jobs for the youth, and boost production to elevate the region to middle-income status.
Mao assured Emorimor of his dedication to engaging the government on supporting the Iteso Cultural Union. He also pledged to follow up on the Jozan School murder case, noting that even President Museveni had expressed concern over the incident.
Additionally, Mao reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting the development of the Iteso Cultural Palace, a project aimed at preserving and promoting Iteso heritage.
The meeting marked a significant step toward strengthening collaboration between the government and cultural leadership in addressing Teso’s longstanding challenges.
