Akaliat  Toto Iteso Calls on Iteso Families to Preserve Culture, Unity, and the Sanctity of Marriage.

By Peterson Hiirya.

Juliet Among Emolot Etomeileng Akaliait Toto Iteso has called on the Iteso community to preserve cultural values, strengthen families, and raise children grounded in identity and respect.

Speaking during the launch of the Iteso Family and Gender Relationship Guidelines at King George Memorial Stadium in Tororo on Tuesday, May 26, Akaliat said the modern world was slowly silencing traditional spaces where wisdom was passed from one generation to another.

“Today the world moves fast. Our sons and daughters travel far. The firesides where wisdom was shared are quiet. And when the fire is not tended, the ashes grow cold,” she said.

Addressing cultural leaders, clan heads, religious leaders, justice officials, and community members gathered at the colourful event, the Queen Mother described the guidelines as a preservation of ancestral wisdom for future generations.

“This is not a new invention. It is the memory of our grandmothers and grandfathers set down on paper, so that no wind of time, no distance of place, can scatter it,” she said.

Akaliat explained that the guidelines define the true meaning of marriage in Teso culture, family responsibility, respect between husbands and wives, the role of in-laws, and peaceful conflict resolution rooted in traditional practices.

“Here you will find the truth of gender – that marriage in Teso is a covenant between clans. Here, you will find the meaning of Etale – honour given, not a price paid,” she noted.

She further emphasized the importance of raising children who value their culture and language.

“Raise children who greet elders and speak Ateso with pride,” she urged.

In a direct message to men, Akaliat called for responsibility and respect within marriage.

“To my sons: Be men of etale. To take a wife is to take responsibility for a clan’s daughter,” she said.

She also encouraged women to recognize their role in shaping families and communities.

“To my daughters: Know your worth. You are the carriers of ekal, the builders of homes, and the first teachers of our children,” she added.

The Queen Mother stressed that family unity remains the foundation of a strong society.

“Unity is strength. And the first unity is the family ordered by respect, by duty, and by love,” she said before urging the community to “keep the fire burning.”

The launch of the guidelines was organized in partnership with International Justice Mission (IJM) Uganda and attracted leaders from across the Teso sub-region and beyond.

Speaking at the same event, the Country Director of IJM Uganda, Wamaitha Kimani, praised the Iteso Cultural Union for taking what she described as a bold cultural step towards protecting women and children from violence.

Wamaitha Kimani country director IJM

Kimani said culture should become “a powerful force for good” in ending harmful practices and strengthening justice for vulnerable people.

She revealed findings from IJM’s recent national study showing that six in every 10 women in relationships have experienced physical or sexual violence, while six in every 10 children have experienced sexual violence.

Despite the high prevalence of violence, Kimani noted that only one in 10 survivors reports cases to formal justice agencies, with many preferring to first seek help from cultural and religious leaders.

“The majority of survivors first report to non-criminal justice actors such as cultural leaders, clan leaders, and religious leaders because they trust them,” she said.

Kimani emphasized the importance of collaboration between traditional institutions and the formal justice system in addressing domestic violence, child marriage, and other forms of abuse.

The event also brought together survivor groups and women leaders from several sub-counties in Tororo who are working to strengthen grassroots efforts against violence in