Kenyan and Ugandan Iteso leaders approve plan to build palace for Teso King

Teso,

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

KNA by Absalom Namwalo

Kenyan and Ugandan leaders from the Teso community have approved a plan to build a palace and an administration block for the Teso King popularly known as the Emorimor.

For a start, the leaders will raise funds for the building of an office for the Emorimor, an office for the Iteso Cultural Union’s (ICU) Prime Minister and his or her two deputies and a multipurpose hall that will house a meeting room for councilors, a restaurant, an ablution block and a hall that members of the public will be hiring for events.

Speaking to KNA, ICU Deputy Prime Minister for Kenya region Fredrick Adung’o noted that, besides the two investments, they will also be pursuing other income generating opportunities to help ICU raise money to be spent in running the affairs of the kingdom.

On October 22, during the Emorimor’s first anniversary at Soroti Sports Grounds in Eastern Uganda, the leaders, including Uganda’s Vice President Jessica Alupo said ICU will fast-track the investments and ensure they are complete within reasonable timelines.

Adung’o said the Emorimor has since his swearing-in faced challenges hosting delegations because of the absence of an office.

“Before building a palace for the Emorimor, we want to have an office block first,” Adung’o said on the phone.

“We aim at building a multipurpose block which, besides housing offices for the Emorimor and his deputies will also generate income through hire.”

“The process of acquiring land is on and we are hopeful immediately after completion of the administration block, we will embark on building of the palace.”

On July 23, 2022 during his endorsement, the Emorimor, Sande Emolot, said construction of a modern palace will be his first priority when he takes over the throne.

“My focus will be to build a modern palace,” Emolot said.

“I am challenging everybody in Teso to contribute to this noble idea.”

He said ICU will be working closely with partners to build a palace.

“I know we might face a few challenges here and there but that should not kill our spirit in achieving this goal. I am ready to dialogue with everyone in Teso for purposes of building a strong cultural institution,” he said.

Sunday’s celebrations were held as the Emorimor reflected on some of the achievements he has made since he took over kingship from his predecessor, Augustine Lemukol Papa Osuban who died on February 5, 2022.

The Vice President on Sunday said Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni had acknowledged support for the investments.

The leaders expected to fundraise include Teso elected leaders in both Kenya and Uganda, Adung’o said.

They include 40 MPs from Teso region in Uganda as well as two in Kenya – Mary Emase (Teso South) and Oku Kaunya (Teso North), Senator Okiya Omtatah, Busia deputy governor Arthur Odera and MCAs from Teso North and Teso South.

Teso professionals in Uganda, Kenya and the diaspora, members of the business community and well-wishers, will contribute to the course, Adung’o said.

In July last year, Adung’o said ICU Kenya chapter will also be lobbying for the construction of a mini-palace for the Emorimor in Kenya.

He said the palace will act as a state lodge for the Iteso kingdom’s leader.

It will be at the mini-palace that the king will be holding meetings and hosting delegations whenever he visits Kenya, Adungo said.

Courtesy; KNA