By Stephen Ojacor
Norbert Mao, the Democratic Party President and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, met with His Highness Paul Sande Emorimor, the Iteso Paramount Chief, to address critical issues affecting the Teso sub-region. During the meeting, they discussed pressing concerns, including delayed cattle compensation, human rights violations, economic development, security, education, and child safety.
Mao emphasized the importance of cultural institutions in shaping public opinion and decisions, recalling the Iteso Cultural Union’s role in peace talks during the 2002 Lord’s Resistance Army insurgency. “The government is committed to working with cultural institutions to deliver services to the people, as they play a key role,” he said.
Mao affirmed the government’s recognition of these institutions and stressed the need for consultation with cultural leaders, especially on development initiatives like the Parish Development Model.
Emorimor highlighted the urgency of speeding up the cattle compensation process, which has caused tension among the elders, and called for justice in the murder of a pupil at Jozan Nursery and Primary School. He also advocated for better government support in education, job creation for youth, and enhancing production to achieve middle-income status in the region.
Mao pledged to engage the government in supporting the Iteso Cultural Union and committed to following up on the Jozan School murder case, noting that even President Museveni had shown concern over the incident. Mao also expressed his commitment to ensuring government support for the development of the Iteso Cultural Palace.