Bukedea  County MP Elect Calls for Unity to Advance Teso Development Agenda

By Peterson Hiirya.

Bukedea County MP-Elect David Beecham
Soroti, Uganda — David Beecham Okwere, the Member of Parliament-elect for Bukedea Constituency, has called on leaders in the Teso sub-region to unite and work together to promote the region’s cultural identity and development priorities.

Okwere made the remarks during a breakfast meeting of elected Members of Parliament and LC5 chairpersons held at Soroti Hotel. The engagement was convened by the Iteso Cultural Union to formulate strategic priorities for the development of the Teso sub-region.

He described the meeting as a defining moment for the region, noting that it provided a platform for leaders to build a united voice for Teso.

“This engagement is a defining moment to set Teso on the right track. In every tradition in Uganda, people always look for a united voice where respect for tradition and heritage is a pillar,” he said.

According to Okwere, unity among leaders and respect for cultural identity are essential in promoting the interests of the Iteso people.

“We are all identified as Iteso, and this meeting has given a clear message that all of us in Teso must unite as one because of our identity and origin,” he noted.

He expressed optimism about the strong turnout of leaders at the meeting, saying it reflected growing commitment among leaders to work together for the region’s progress.

“In previous engagements, the King had been seeing only about five Members of Parliament attending. But this time we had almost all MP-elects present, about 36, with only a few who sent representatives,” he said.

Okwere also highlighted the participation of district leaders, noting that out of 14 LC5 chairpersons from the region, 11 attended the meeting.

“This shows that we are moving into a new phase where leaders are coming together on a common ground to speak with one voice while respecting our heritage and culture,” he added.

He said the region must emulate other parts of Uganda where cultural institutions are highly respected and supported.

“If you go to regions like Ankole or Toro, people respect their heritage so much. That is what we must also do in Teso so that we put our region on the map like other kingdoms and cultural institutions in Uganda,” he said.

Okwere also pledged support for efforts to establish a permanent cultural home for the Iteso people.

“We shall make sure that we speed up the process required to see that the home of the Iteso cultural institution is completed in the shortest time possible,” he said.

He added that the Office of the Speaker of Parliament would support initiatives aimed at strengthening the cultural institution and promoting the region’s development agenda.

“The Speaker respects her culture and heritage, and her office will do what it takes through legislation and lobbying to support the cultural institution and the construction of the Iteso home,” Mokwere said.

He noted that strengthening the cultural institution would help preserve the heritage of the Iteso people for future generations.

“This is our heritage and we must preserve it for our children and future generations so that history remembers the role played in redefining the development of the Iteso and their cultural institution,” he added.


The meeting is part of ongoing efforts by the Iteso Cultural Union to bring together political, cultural, and administrative leaders to build a unified development agenda for the Teso sub-region.