By Richard Onapatum
Soroti, Uganda – Vice President Jessica Alupo has called for unity and cooperation among the Ateker communities, emphasizing the importance of preserving their cultural heritage and promoting regional development.
Speaking at the Ateker Reunion Culture Festival in Soroti City, Alupo noted that the festival is a celebration of the shared heritage and cultural ties among the Ateker communities. She encouraged the communities to work together to promote peace, prosperity, and cultural renaissance.
“The Ateker Reunion Culture Festival is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Ateker people,” Alupo said. “It is a celebration of our shared values, traditions, and customs. Let us use this opportunity to promote unity, cooperation, and regional development among our communities.”
Alupo also emphasized the importance of preserving the cultural heritage of the Ateker communities, noting that it is a vital part of their identity and a source of pride. She encouraged the communities to work together to promote cultural exchange, tourism, and investment.
The Vice President also highlighted the importance of the festival in promoting Pan-Africanism, one of the four pillars of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). She emphasized that Pan-Africanism is not just a concept, but a reality that can be achieved through events like the Ateker Reunion Culture Festival.
Alupo also encouraged the youth to support and implement the four principles of NRM, which include Nationalism, Pan-Africanism, Socio-economic transformation, and democracy. She commissioned student patriots after they participated in a 10-day patriotism exercise, emphasizing the need for them to be ambassadors of these principles.
The Ateker Reunion Culture Festival is an annual event that brings together Ateker-speaking communities from Ethiopia, South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The festival features cultural performances, exhibitions, sports, and dialogue sessions.
The festival has attracted dignitaries from across East Africa, including President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Former Prime Minister of Ethiopia Haile Mariam Dessalegn, and Speaker of the Senate of the Republic of Kenya Amason Kingi.