Four-year legal battle ends as Iteso leaders strike unity deal

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William Aloch Okol, a founding member of the Iteso Cultural Union (ICU), has officially withdrawn his court case against the Iteso cultural leader, Papa Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot Etomeileng.

The case, filed around July 2022, followed attempts by a team led by Aloch to serve a court order restraining the nomination and election of Emolot, which resulted in confrontations at ICU offices in Soroti city.

The withdrawal was announced during a meeting at the ICU offices, chaired by Emmy Geoffrey Sayekwo, chairperson of the mediation committee and deputy registrar of Soroti High Court.

Stakeholders present included the ICU prime minister, the Soroti city resident city commissioner, the lead petitioner and the Emorimor.

The matter had been in court for four years and was marked by adjournments and legal arguments. Aloch said he withdrew the case to promote unity and move the Teso agenda forward, noting that the decision followed careful reflection.

Emorimor Emolot welcomed the development, describing it as a step towards closure and reconciliation.

Sayekwo reminded attendees that they were witnessing the formal signing of the withdrawal of the case against Emorimor Emolot, adding that such decisions may result from reconciliation or strategic legal considerations.



Andrew Ocole, the ICU prime minister, pledged cooperation with Aloch’s team.

Soroti city RCC John Michael Okurut described the development as a positive gesture signalling unity among the Ateso.



John Robert Olaboro, ICU minister for mobilisation, said the withdrawal was timely.