President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged to support the Ateker community after Uganda was approved to host the 2024 Ateker Cultural Festival, which is set to take place in November.
This development was confirmed on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at State House Entebbe during a meeting the President held with the Vice President, H.E. Jessica Alupo, and the Paramount Chief (Emorimor) of the Iteso Cultural Union, Papa Paul Sande Emolot, at State House Entebbe.
During the meeting, Alupo shared with the President that Uganda has been endorsed to host this year’s Ateker cultural festival.
“Ateker cultural festival takes place once a year either in Kenya, South Sudan, Ethiopia, or Uganda, but Uganda has never hosted it. According to the Ambassador of Ethiopia to Uganda, H.E. Etsegenet Bezabih Yimenu, the cultural festival has been endorsed to be hosted by Uganda this year in November,” Alupo said.
Alupo stated that the festival will be held at Soroti Sports Grounds and will run for three days from November 27 to 29, 2024.
President Museveni assured the Ateker community of support and confirmed his attendance as the Guest of Honor. He implored the leaders to preach unity and socio-economic transformation among their people.
He warned the Ateker community that nomadism in the pastoral areas, livestock rustling, and tribal conflicts impede progress.
“Children don’t get immunized; they die; they don’t go to school; there is no income; people must change so that they can live a better life,” President Museveni stated.
Papa Sande Emolot appreciated President Museveni and the government of Uganda for their continuous support of the cultural institutions in the country.
This year’s festival is intended to consolidate peace, team building, and celebration of unity, as well as explore the economic opportunities among the Ateker community.
The festival always brings together the Ateker community, which comprises the Karamojong, Iteso of Uganda and Kenya, the Turkana of Kenya, Toposa of South Sudan, Nyangatom of Ethiopia, and Masai of Tanzania.
