Teso agenda takes shape as Emorimor rallies leaders around unity and development.

By Peterson Hiirya.

The Emormor Paapa Iteso Paul Sande Emolot Etomeileng, (The Cultural Leader of the iteso) has called on newly elected leaders from the Teso sub-region to prioritise unity, education and poverty eradication as part of a renewed effort to restore the region’s socio-economic progress.

Speaking during a prayer breakfast and strategic planning meeting organised by the Iteso Cultural Union (ICU) at Soroti Hotel on March 14, the Emorimor said the gathering marked the beginning of a process to revive the development momentum that Teso once enjoyed.

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.

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

He explained that the engagement was intended to welcome newly elected leaders and align them with the ICU’s strategic development priorities while initiating broader discussions on accelerating socio-economic transformation in Teso.

The cultural leader urged political leaders to focus on education, human resource development, and poverty eradication as key pillars for rebuilding the region’s prosperity.

He also called on Members of Parliament to lobby for critical government investments, including infrastructure development, improved financial services such as establishing a regional branch of the Bank of Uganda, and increased support for the cultural institution.

The Emorimor thanked religious and political leaders for responding to the call to deliberate on the future of the region, noting that collective leadership would be crucial in addressing the challenges facing the Teso sub-region.

Development agenda.

During the meeting, leaders adopted a proposed Teso Development Agenda (2026–2031) aimed at strengthening unity, tackling poverty, and accelerating socio-economic transformation.

Under the plan, leaders committed themselves to promoting cooperation among political, cultural, and religious institutions while using the ICU as a unifying platform for the Iteso community.

The agenda also prioritises improving access to quality education and strengthening key institutions such as Busitema University, Soroti University, and Teso College Aloet to support human resource development.

Economic transformation efforts will focus on poverty reduction through commercial agriculture, irrigation, and fisheries development around Lake Kyoga, alongside promoting agro-processing and value addition to increase household incomes.

Leaders also agreed to lobby for improved infrastructure, including road networks linking areas such as Ngora and Kagwara, while strengthening transport and trade connectivity across the region.

In addition, the agenda proposes expanding access to financial services, encouraging microfinance institutions to extend services to rural communities, and promoting savings and investment initiatives among households and small businesses.

Another key priority is strengthening the cultural institution through mobilisation of resources for the construction of Ere Iteso, the proposed cultural headquarters of the Iteso people.

Leaders call for unity.

Leaders at the meeting emphasised the need for unity and coordinated development planning across the region. The Emorimor urged leaders to avoid internal conflicts and instead work collectively to restore the region’s prosperity.

David Beecham Okwere, the MP-elect for Bukedea, described the engagement as a turning point for setting Teso on a unified development path.

He pledged support from the office of Anita Annet Among to strengthen the Iteso Cultural Union and support the construction of Ere Iteso.

Fredrick Angura MP Tororo County South called for harmonising the cultural institution’s strategic development plan with the national development framework to attract greater government attention and support for the region.

Local government support.

Bob Owiny, the LC5 chairperson-elect for Soroti District, said the cultural institution should remain the unifying platform for leaders regardless of political or religious differences. “As leader,  we belong to different political parties and religion,  but wecan nott change the fact that we are Iteso. Our cultural institution should remain our fallback position,” he said.

Owiny added that district local governments would work with the development arm of the ICU to integrate cultural initiatives into district development plans and budgets.
Addressing poverty.

Leaders also highlighted poverty as the most pressing challenge facing the Teso sub-region.
Alfred Edakasi said tackling poverty through irrigation agriculture, fisheries around Lake Kyoga, and rural processing industries could drive economic growth in the region.

Peter Paul Emaju noted that infrastructure projects such as the ferry service on Lake Kyoga could boost trade and market access if fully utilised.

Former Usuk County MP Charles Oleng Ojok urged leaders to reconcile with their political opponents and work collectively for regional development, while retired bishop Charles Bernard Obaikol Ebitu emphasised unity and called for recognition of the historic role played by the Arrow Boys and Arrow Girls in restoring peace to the region.

The meeting ended with a commitment from political, cultural, and religious leaders to strengthen cooperation and continue engaging on development priorities for the Teso sub-region.