SOROTI — The Iteso Cultural Union (ICU) has officially announced the postponement of the 4th Coronation Anniversary celebrations for His Highness Papa Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot Etomeileng. The dates were shifted by one week following a special request from Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto.
Initially slated for October 22 to 24, 2026, in Kenya, the landmark celebrations will now take place from October 29 to October 31, 2026.
The adjustment was announced by ICU Minister of Information Stephen Ojacor, who explained that the change followed a historic meeting between President Ruto and Papa Emorimor on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at State House in Nairobi.
According to Ojacor, President Ruto expressed a strong desire to personally attend the celebrations alongside a state delegation from Kenya, prompting him to ask the cultural union to accommodate his schedule by moving the dates.
“The organizing committee carefully considered and accepted the request by the President of Kenya. I am therefore pleased to officially announce that the 4th Coronation Anniversary... has now been shifted to 29th to 31st October 2026,” Ojacor said.
The ICU views the Kenyan leader's participation as a significant acknowledgment of the cultural prominence of the Iteso people and the broader Ateker community. Organizers believe President Ruto’s presence will foster deeper cooperation, regional integration, and discussions on cross-border development, uniting Ateker populations spanning Uganda, Kenya, and beyond.
Rather than a setback, the ICU leadership frames the postponement as an opportunity to elevate the scale and impact of the anniversary, which highlights Papa Emorimor's ongoing efforts to promote unity, peace, cultural identity, and development.
In tandem with the main event's date change, related activities have also been rescheduled:
The Emorimor Cup: Semi-finals and finals will now be held on October 29 and 30, 2026, in Kenya, with President Ruto expected to personally present awards to the victorious teams.
Ateker Business Symposium: Spearheaded by ICU Minister of Trade Hon. David Asabu, the symposium will convene on October 30 to explore trade, investment, and economic collaboration for stakeholders from Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia.
Emaali Festival Unaffected While the coronation in Kenya has been pushed back, the ICU confirmed that the upcoming Emaali Festival will proceed precisely as planned on October 24 and 25, 2026, at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala.
Organized by the ICU Ministry of Tourism under Hon. Charles Eweku, the festival aims to spotlight the rich tourism potential of the Teso region to both national and international audiences. Ojacor urged the public—especially residents in and around Kampala—to turn out in large numbers for the festival ahead of the grand coronation celebrations in Kenya.
With a high-powered presidential presence and robust economic and cultural programming, the 4th Coronation Anniversary is poised to be one of the most defining moments in the modern history of the Iteso Cultural Union.
