By Stephen Ojacor
His Royal Highness Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot Etomeileng, the Iteso Paramount Chief, has called for peace and unity ahead of the upcoming political season in Bukedea.
Speaking at Malera Seed Secondary School during his ongoing cultural tour, the Emorimor warned the electorate against engaging in violence and urged political aspirants to resolve disputes through dialogue.
“I have always seen Bukedea people in running battles whenever there are elections. Can we try to have a peaceful election this time?” Emorimor asked the large gathering, receiving applause from community members, local leaders, and cultural stakeholders.
The Paramount Chief’s message was part of a broader appeal for harmony during this critical political period, emphasizing the need for mature and civil conduct among candidates and their supporters.
“Conflicts in politics can be resolved by dialogue and negotiations. There is no need for bloodshed,” he stressed.
Emorimor was accompanied by Her Majesty Akaliait Juliet Among and several ministers from the Iteso Cultural Union (ICU) cabinet, their visit began with a courtesy call to Bukedea Comprehensive School before proceeding to Bukedea Health Centre III to assess the state of healthcare delivery in the district.
During his address, the cultural leader expressed strong support for Speaker of Parliament Annette Anita Among, encouraging the community to re-elect her as Woman Member of Parliament for Bukedea District.
“Many people have been accusing me of being political, but as a cultural leader, it is my duty to guide the public and protect what we have in government as a community share,” Emorimor explained.
He went on to highlight the importance of maintaining high-level government representation from the Teso region. “The positions of Speaker and Vice President are very important. We shouldn’t lose them as Teso,” he said.
Emorimor commended Speaker Among for her transformative work in Bukedea, crediting her with creating employment opportunities for youth, expanding access to education, and investing in community infrastructure.
“I have seen many jobs created, schools built in Bukedea, a teaching hospital and a sports facility. This is good for promoting education, jobs, and talent among our people,” he stated.
He also praised President Yoweri Museveni for launching the Parish Development Model (PDM), an initiative that provides local citizens with direct financial support.
“I thank President Museveni for the Parish Development Model where each local citizen receives one million shillings. This is a big step towards uplifting the grassroots economy,” Emorimor noted.
The cultural tour, which spans multiple sub-counties, is part of Emorimor’s broader vision to revive and promote the Iteso culture, foster unity among clans, and support socio-economic transformation in the region.
Throughout the tour, the Paramount Chief has been engaging with communities, inspecting development projects, and encouraging the preservation of cultural values and traditions.
As his entourage continues its journey across the region, Emorimor’s message remains consistent: cultural identity and development must go hand-in-hand with peace, political tolerance, and responsible leadership.
“We must stand together as Iteso, whether in politics, culture or development. Let us focus on what unites us, not what divides us,” Emorimor concluded.
The cultural tour Is expected to continue in the coming weeks, with further stops in Soroti, Kumi, Ngora, Severe and Pallisa where the Iteso monarch will continue his efforts to rally the people around cultural pride, economic empowerment, and regional cooperation.