Soroti, Uganda | The Iteso Cultural Union (ICU) has earned national recognition as the second-best performing cultural institution in Uganda, trailing only the Buganda Kingdom.
The endorsement, delivered by the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi, affirms the transformative leadership of His Highness Papa Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot Etomeileng and the ICU’s visionary governance.
During her recent monitoring and evaluation visit to the ICU headquarters, Minister Amongi commended the Union’s structured leadership, robust community involvement, and cultural clarity.
She noted that ICU’s performance had captured the attention of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who has expressed admiration for Emorimor Emolot’s leadership style, particularly his efforts in fostering peace, unity, and socio-cultural development across the Teso sub-region and beyond.
One of ICU’s most notable achievements is the Ateker Re-Union Festival, held in November 2024 in Soroti City.
The festival attracted Ateker-speaking communities from Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan, and Ethiopia, celebrating shared heritage and strengthening cross-border cultural ties.
Minister Amongi hailed it as a “landmark event” that showcased the cohesion and vibrancy of the Iteso under forward-thinking leadership.
At the unveiling of the Union’s 2024 – 2025 annual report, ICU Prime Minister Andrew Ocole outlined a busy calendar of events that included the Ecomai Cooking Festival in Katakwi, cultural tours across several districts, and the grand celebration of the Emorimor’s coronation anniversary.
Ocole emphasized that these activities went beyond celebration they served as powerful platforms for cultural education, heritage preservation, and economic empowerment.
ICU’s contributions to education and social welfare were also highlighted, especially through the Teso Education Fund.
The fund currently supports 15 students on full scholarships at Makerere University, with expansion plans targeting more underprivileged learners.
The Union has also taken proactive steps in land conflict resolution, running sensitization campaigns to equip clan leaders with peaceful mediation strategies addressing one of the region’s most persistent community challenges.
Logistically, ICU has made strategic progress by securing a land title for the construction of a modern cultural palace, complete with architectural plans.
The Union’s capacity has been further boosted with a newly acquired van, refurbished transport vehicles, modern tents, and distribution of farming inputs like seeds to uplift rural communities.
In his message of appreciation, Emorimor Emolot thanked the Ugandan government for its consistent financial support.
He described the recognition as a collective achievement of the entire Iteso community, both local and in the diaspora, affirming ICU’s commitment to transparency, inclusive growth, and cultural dignity.
The Iteso Cultural Union continues to set a standard for what modern cultural institutions in Uganda can achieve blending tradition with transformation, heritage with progress.