Emorimor rallies Teso RDCs, RCCs behind Ere ITeso palace drive.

By Peterson Hiirya.

The Emorimor Paapa iteso Paul Sande Emolot Etomeileng has called on Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and Resident City Commissioners (RCCs) across Teso to spearhead mobilization for the construction of the long-awaited Ere Iteso palace.

Addressing commissioners from the sub-region at the ICU offices in Soroti on Tuesday, Emorimor described the meeting with Commissioners as “very, very important” for the socio-cultural and economic transformation of Teso.

He said the engagement brought together representatives of the Office of the President from all districts in Teso, including Pallisa and Butebo, to align efforts towards the construction of Ere Teso, which he termed a “symbolic identity” the region has lacked for years.

“I thank the leadership of this country, especially His Excellency the President, the Vice President, the Speaker of Parliament, and all leaders of Teso for supporting this initiative,” he said.

The Emorimor revealed that consultations had already been held with Members of Parliament and LC5 chairpersons, and the next phase will involve religious leaders, teachers, learners, and the wider community.

He outlined a grassroots fundraising model anchored on cultural participation, urging every Iteso household to contribute at least a chicken toward the initiative.

“A chicken is a domestic bird found in every home. This is a unifying call across Teso, even extending to our people in Kenya,” he said.

The proposed palace, he added, will be a seven-storey structure representing the seven major clans of Teso. A region-wide fundraising campaign is expected to be launched soon, with mobilization planned at district, county, and community levels.

The cultural leader expressed optimism that the palace could be completed within two years if the mobilization effort succeeds.

Beyond the palace project, the Emorimor emphasized ongoing initiatives in education and child protection, particularly advocating for the rights of the girl child.

He condemned forced marriages and urged parents to allow the law to handle cases of defilement.

“We must ensure that no girl is forced into marriage. Let those who have given birth return to school. Education remains key to transformation,” he said, citing success stories of girls who resumed studies after early pregnancies.

Amuria RDC Paul Eseru, speaking on behalf of the commissioners, welcomed the engagement and pledged full support for the Ere Teso project.

“We have discussed key issues affecting the sub-region, including security and poverty. But the highlight has been the fundraising drive for Ere Teso, which we fully support,” he said.

Eseru noted that the Office of the President has already committed funding toward the project and that RDCs will use community platforms such as barazas and media to mobilize support.

“This is a project we are going to own collectively as leaders and communities of Teso,” he added.

The Ere Teso initiative is expected to become a unifying cultural and development symbol for the sub-region, bringing together leadership structures and grassroots communities in a shared vision.