By Richard Onapatum
The vice president Maj. Rtd Jessica Alupo has called upon the Iteso people of Kenya and Uganda to embrace teamwork and unity for socioeconomic development.
She made the remarks during a one-day private visit to Kenya on the invitation of Rt. Rev. John Okude Omuse, the Bishop of A.C.K Diocese of Katakwa Kenya yesterday.
Alupo was accompanied by the Emorimor Papa Paul Sande Emolot, Sate Minister for the Disability Hellen Grace Asamo, over 16 Members of Parliament hailing from the Ateker people in Teso Sub-Region.
The vice president who for the first time entered Kenya through Malaba one-stop border was received by His Excellency the Governor of Busia County (Kenya) Dr. Otuoma Nyongesa and security chiefs and other national leaders from the Kenyan Government.
During the visit, the vice president attended a short prayer in Katakwa Cathedral, addressed and motivated the girl child at St Thomas Girls Secondary School.
She further held an exclusive leaders meeting at the Bishop’s office and later addressed the Ateker people at St. Thomas Cathedral Grounds. Both H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and H.E William Ruto authorized the visit.
She said the people of Uganda and Kenya are blessed with a natural bond which is God given. “We are sitting here as Iteso of Kenya and Uganda. We also have the Samia of Kenya and Uganda. We also have the Bagisu of Kenya and Uganda in Lwakaka. etc” she said.
She stressed that between Uganda and Kenya, we find very strong cultural groups which are God given emphasizing that we can therefore not squander this bond of blood.
“The best we can do is to strengthen our unity as people of Kenya and Uganda because as Africans we are one.” Alupo said. She said it is our responsibility strengthen and enhance that oneness to make the best use of it.
The vice president is glad the people of East Africa have demonstrated that unity is strength adding that from the earlier three East African states, the community right now boasts of eight members.
These include; Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia and Democratic Republic of Congo, a clear demonstration that humanity is first priority she said.
“As Africans we belong together as a people and we do not support any form of sectarianism.” Alupo said.
She told the bishop that her delegation had visited Kenya to demonstrate to the Ateker people that they have brothers in Uganda who care for them and the existing colonial boundaries are basically for administration but we have the same cultural values.
She thanked the government of Kenya and Uganda for the prevailing peace and stability which enabled them to show solidarity between ourselves.
She appealed to the Iteso people in Kenya to demonstrate nationalism by loving their country (Kenya) as one they belong to.
She said when the people of Uganda, Kenya and East Africa are united, it becomes very easy to implement development programs which makes it very easy for the grassroot to benefit.
Alupo called upon everyone to continue championing unity and togetherness as the people of neighbouring states.
On behalf of government of Uganda, Alupo said we shall shall continue to co-exist with the government and people of Kenya, extremely harmoniously.
She called upon the Ateker people support government programs with dedication. “It is very important to pay attention to programs especially on education because it is a weapon one can use to the change the world.” Alupo said.
She called upon parents, local and cultural leaders to support both boy and girl child to ensure they complete the education cycle.
She thanked the Papa Emorimor, the bishop, the people of Katakwa and Busia county for the invitation and warm reception accorded to her during this maiden visit.
Dr. Nyongesa said that as the people of Busia Kenya, they were extremely delighted by the vice president’s visit.
“You have not only come here as a very senior government dignitary but also as a person who is coming at home and a sister.” Nyongesa said.
He said this’ a clear testimony of East African federation. He lauded president Museveni for his tiring efforts towards the achievement and realization of the East African federation.
“Whether you’re in Kenya or Uganda we are one people. Your visit is a clear demonstration that the Iteso people are one.” Nyongesa said.
He said when people are together, they build strong families and when families are strong, even communities become stronger hence reserving their cultural values.
Papa Emorimor lauded the cordial relations between the people of Kenya and Uganda urging it to continue especially for the people on both borders.
He appealed to leaders to work so hard to change the lives of our people and also asked the local people to love their countries.
The Emorimor also urged attendees to uphold cultural norms and traditional practices of the Ateker.
Bishop thanked the vice president for coming to share with the Ateker people of Kenya. He said the Iteso community living in both Kenya and Uganda have over three years yearned for stewardship towards their re-union and partnership.
He thanked the vice president for offering the much needed stewardship and leadership. Moving forward, the Ateker people handed over a memorandum of Understanding to Alupo who promised to address all the raised with president Museveni.
CULTURE
However, among the issues included; the need to enhance the Iteso culture and language by documenting aspects of the Iteso culture and language in both print and digital forms.
CROSS-BORDER TRADE
The Iteso people who by God’s grace strategically live at the border of both Kenya and Uganda seek support and stewardship of the vice president to help facilitate and enhance cross-border trade amongst the Iteso people who inhabit both sides of the Kenyan and Ugandan borders.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
It is suggested that the Iteso professionals of both Kenya and Uganda engage in professional exchange programmes for the benefit of the Iteso people. They want the vice president to help rally professionals in both Kenya and Uganda to support community interest projects.
SUPPORT TO THE ACK DIOCESE OF KATAKWA
The Anglican church of Katakwa under the leadership of Rt. Rev. Okude seeks to the support of the vice president to lobby and rally the political leadership in both Teso, Kenya and Uganda to mobilise resources in support of the diocesan projects.
