By Enatu Steven
On November 27, 2024, President Yoweri Museveni, accompanied by First Lady Janet, inaugurated the historic three-day Ateker Reunion Festival in Soroti City, Uganda, marking a monumental moment for the Ateker people. This festival, held for the first time in Uganda, brought together various ethnic communities from East Africa, including the Karamojong, Iteso, and others, to celebrate their shared heritage and promote peace.
With a rich tapestry of cultural performances, discussions on socio-economic development, and a call for unity, the event stood as a beacon of hope for peace in the region, where long-standing ethnic clashes, such as those between the Karamojong and Iteso, have caused much suffering. In his speech, President Museveni acknowledged the historical divisions within the Ateker people and strongly condemned the violence between them, urging for a stop to these destructive conflicts.
“These clashes between our people, like the Karamojong and Iteso, have been unhealthy. They must come to an end,” Museveni declared, stressing the importance of moving beyond old conflicts for a brighter, unified future.
The festival’s attendees included high-profile leaders such as former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, former South African First Lady Topeka Stacie Madiba, the Speaker of the Parliament of Kenya Amason Kingi, and the King of the Zulu Nation, Misuzulu ka-Zwelithini. Their presence added international significance to the event and underscored the importance of unity in the East African region.
Hailemariam Desalegn echoed President Museveni’s sentiment, urging the Ateker communities to become exemplars of peace and harmony in the region. “Let the Ateker people be a beacon of peace, a shining example of cooperation, and a source of unity for the entire region,” he said. He expressed deep gratitude for the warm reception he received in Uganda, emphasizing the power of unity in overcoming historical differences.
The cultural displays were equally captivating, with stunning performances by the Ateker communities from Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, and Uganda. Dressed in vibrant traditional attire, some participants danced and performed in the rain, showcasing not just their cultural pride but also their resilience. These performances, filled with lively rhythms and colorful costumes, demonstrated the deep-rooted traditions and shared identity of the Ateker people across national borders.
Vice President Jessica Alupo, speaking at the event, highlighted the festival’s potential to foster peace and bring about socio-economic empowerment. “This festival is more than a celebration of our heritage; it is an opportunity to harness the economic benefits of cultural tourism and entrepreneurship, strengthening social cohesion and cooperation among the Ateker people,” she remarked.
Betty Amongi, Uganda’s Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, also pledged continued government support for cultural initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Ateker communities. She emphasized the need for such gatherings to promote not just cultural understanding but also tangible improvements in the livelihoods of the people.
The event also provided a platform for addressing pressing issues facing the Ateker communities. The paramount chief of the Iteso, Sande Paul Emolot, spoke passionately about the importance of unity. He noted that the festival marked the first time in over 600 years that the Ateker people were reuniting after their separation, and he called for peaceful coexistence and collaboration. “Since we left Ethiopia, this is the first reunion of its kind to celebrate our shared heritage,” Emolot said.
A key moment in the festival came when former Ugandan spy chief David Pulkol delivered a memorandum on behalf of the Ateker people. The memorandum outlined several requests, including the establishment of livestock breeding centers to develop the Zebu cow, which is vital for the community’s agriculture and economy. The memorandum also called for the establishment of compulsory, free, and accessible education for the youth of the Ateker communities, so that they might abandon harmful practices such as cattle raids and focus on sustainable livelihoods.
At the top of the list was the call for regional governments to collaborate on the disarmament of armed communities. Pulkol, a long-time advocate for peace, stressed that disarmament was crucial for the region’s future prosperity. “Disarmament is not just about removing weapons; it’s about laying the foundation for a peaceful and prosperous future where the people of East Africa can thrive together,” he emphasized.
Pulkol also urged the governments of Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Tanzania to continue supporting the Ateker Reunion as an annual event, rotating between the different countries, to keep the flame of unity alive and ensure that the communities benefit from shared cultural and economic growth.