An Opinion by Arikos Peter, Assistant Resident District Commissioner, Kaberamaido District, and Head of Publicity, ERE ITESO Construction Committee.
There are moments in the history of a people when a generation is given an opportunity to build something that will speak for them long after they are gone.
I believe ERE ITESO is one of those moments.
And as we begin this important journey, we must first appreciate the leadership of our Papa Emorimor, His Highness Papa Paul Sande Etomeileng Emolot, the King of the Iteso, whose vision, guidance and commitment to the unity, identity and advancement of the Iteso people continue to give direction to initiatives that bring our people together.
The vision of ERE ITESO is one of those initiatives that demonstrates the importance of having cultural leadership that thinks beyond the present generation. Under the leadership of our Emorimor, the Iteso have been given a platform to think about who we are, what we want to preserve and what we want to leave behind for those who will come after us.
ERE ITESO — the Home of the Iteso — should not be viewed simply as another construction project. It is an opportunity for the Iteso people to create a permanent centre where our history, culture, identity, values and aspirations can be preserved, celebrated and passed on to future generations.
The groundbreaking of the Iteso Cultural Palace has already given this vision new momentum. The project has been presented as a major cultural home for the Iteso, with an estimated cost of Shs52 billion, while government has pledged an initial contribution of Shs500 million.
But the biggest question now is not whether ERE ITESO is a good idea.
The question is:
What are we, as Iteso, prepared to do to make it a reality?
A people without a strong connection to their history risk losing part of their identity with every generation.
Our children are growing up in a rapidly changing world. They are exposed to different cultures, languages, technologies and ways of life. There is nothing wrong with embracing progress. But progress should never require us to forget who we are.
That is why ERE ITESO matters.
It can become a place where a young Iteso can walk in and say, “This is where I come from.”
It can become a place where our traditional knowledge, language, music, dance, stories, artefacts, customs and values are preserved—not only in books, but in a living institution that future generations can experience.
We already have examples of the importance of cultural preservation. The Iteso Cultural Union Museum in Soroti has been preserving domestic utensils, regalia, hunting tools and aspects of Iteso traditions and values. ERE ITESO presents an opportunity to take that preservation to a much greater level.
But ERE ITESO should not stop at culture.
Culture can also become an engine for development.
A properly developed cultural home can attract visitors, researchers, students, cultural enthusiasts and tourists. It can create opportunities for artisans, performers, entrepreneurs, hospitality businesses and young people.
Our traditional crafts can find markets.
Our history can attract researchers.
Our cultural events can attract visitors.
Our young people can find opportunities.
Our region can benefit economically.
Therefore, when we talk about contributing to ERE ITESO, we should not think only about giving money.
We should think about investing in our collective future.
Those who have the financial capacity can contribute financially.
Those with businesses can support through services and partnerships.
Professionals can contribute their knowledge.
Young people can contribute their energy and creativity.
Cultural leaders can contribute their wisdom.
Every Iteso, wherever they live, can ask: “What can I contribute to this home?”
This is where our mindset must change.
We cannot always wait for government to build everything for us. Government has a role, and its support is important. But a cultural institution that is supposed to represent an entire people must also carry the ownership and participation of that people.
ERE ITESO must belong in the hearts of the Iteso before it stands physically on the ground.
Let us also understand that supporting ERE ITESO does not mean abandoning development in agriculture, education, health, roads or other sectors. Culture and development can move together.
In fact, a confident people are better positioned to develop.
When people understand where they came from, they can approach the future with greater confidence.
When young people know their identity, they can embrace modernity without losing themselves.
When communities are united around a common heritage, they can mobilise more effectively for development.
That is why I believe ERE ITESO can become more than a palace.
It can become a symbol of unity.
The Iteso are spread across different districts and communities, and many live outside Teso. Yet wherever an Iteso may be, there remains a connection to our shared heritage.
ERE ITESO can therefore become a place where the Iteso from Serere, Kaberamaido, Soroti, Kumi, Katakwi, Amuria, Bukedea, Ngora, Pallisa, Tororo, Kapelbyong and beyond can feel that they have a common home.
It can also become a bridge between generations.
Our elders have knowledge that must not disappear with them.
Our young people have energy and creativity that must be given direction.
ERE ITESO can bring the two together.
As Head of Publicity of the ERE ITESO Construction Committee, my appeal is therefore simple: let us talk about this project, understand it, support it and own it.
Let us encourage our families, communities, businesses, cultural institutions and friends in the diaspora to participate.
Let us not wait until the building is complete to become proud of it.
Let us become part of the story of building it.
One day, our grandchildren will ask us, “When ERE ITESO was being built, what did you do?”
Let our answer be:
“I was there. I contributed. I supported. I helped build the Home of the Iteso.”
This is bigger than one person.
It is bigger than one district.
It is bigger than one generation.
ERE ITESO is a statement about who we are, where we have come from and what we want to leave behind.
Let us therefore build it—not only with bricks and mortar, but with unity, sacrifice, ownership, pride and a shared vision.
The time to support ERE ITESO is not tomorrow.
The time is now.
“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”
Let us build our home. Let us preserve our identity. Let us give the next generation something worthy to inherit.
ERE ITESO — OUR HERITAGE, OUR UNITY, OUR HOME.