President Museveni contributes sh500m to Ere Iteso Palace construction project

SOROTI: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has contributed Sh500 million towards the construction of the Ere Iteso Palace, a major cultural project being spearheaded by the Iteso Cultural Union (ICU). 

The contribution was announced during the groundbreaking ceremony and fundraising launch for the palace, held on Saturday at the ICU offices, with the President’s message being delivered by Vice President Jessica Alupo.

According to ICU Prime Minister Andrew Ocole, the ambitious cultural project is expected to cost approximately Shs53 billion upon completion.

In his message, President Museveni described the construction of the palace as “a monumental project that signifies a move in the right direction.”

He commended the Emorimor Paapa Iteso, Paul Sande Emolot Etomeileng, for his leadership and efforts in strengthening the Iteso community.

“I commend the Emorimor of Teso, His Royal Highness Paul Sande Emolot, for the great work he is doing among his subjects and within the communities,” Museveni said in the statement read by Vice President Alupo.

Vice President Alupo announced the President’s contribution, clarifying that it was not a pledge but a donation.

The President also applauded the continued cooperation between the government and the cultural institution since the restoration of the Iteso Cultural Union under the leadership of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Museveni emphasised that the construction of the Emorimor Palace represents more than just infrastructure; it symbolises a collective effort to preserve the history, identity, and traditions of the Iteso people.

“It is not merely the construction of bricks and mortar, but an embodiment of the collective aspiration to preserve and celebrate our traditional history and identity,” he stated.

The palace is expected to serve as a cultural hub where future generations can learn about their ancestors’ values, experience traditional arts, and strengthen community ties.

It is also anticipated to contribute to Uganda’s tourism sector, attracting visitors and promoting socio-economic growth.

The president said it was a great joy that they were breaking ground and launching the commencement of this project, as well as raising funds for it to manifest our determination and vision to see it in place. 

“This all has been enabled by the peace and security that the NRM leadership ushered in and continues to guard jealously, as we work towards self-reliance, socio-economic self- sustainability as a nation and the entire East Africa and African race,” he said. 

He pledged to continue pushing for African integration to enable us to have a common voice in negotiating for services and resources, and he will not relent until he sees it come to pass because of the enormous opportunities we shall reap from the unification.

He emphasised that culture highlights and illuminates our heritage in a more profound way, and that to ignore it would be a denial of self, which is detrimental to the unity and resilient spirit of the people that has held them together since the time of our forefathers.

“Therefore, the construction of the Emormor palace is a means of strengthening the core of the existence of the Iteso culture, and we welcome it with great pleasure,” he noted. 
Museveni said the NRM leadership is fully committed to supporting cultural institutions and their preservation for development. 

“We recognise the invaluable role of all cultural institutions in Uganda in nurturing the cultural fabric that holds our nation together and resists European norms and practices that dehumanise and contaminate our people, especially the youth,” he stated.

The president appreciated the Iteso Cultural Institution for embarking on this ambitious endeavour to revive and showcase the magnificence of the Iteso heritage through the Emormor Palace construction project.

The palace will foster unity of organisations and government institutions in a shared vision of cultural pride and economic empowerment.

He acknowledged the challenges ahead in realising this dream, saying that with the spirit of the Unity of Iteso clans “Einos Iteso Kopiten”, he’s optimistic that determination will enable them to overcome every obstacle.

“Let us therefore join hands to lay a strong foundation by supporting with funds to ensure that we build a legacy that will be a testament to Iteso heritage and Ugandan cultural diversity. May this project inspire similar endeavours in line with cultural tourism for sustainable development within Teso and across the globe,” Museveni said.
  

He congratulated all the Iteso Community and the visionary brains behind this project and called upon all stakeholders in culture and cultural institutional development to rise to the occasion and give wholeheartedly to this cause for the common good. 

“We all belong here and will benefit from this project as Ugandans in one way or another. With Unity, all things are possible!” he said.

Vice President Alupo announced the President’s contribution, clarifying that it was not a pledge but a donation. The Shs500 million will be deposited directly into the project account, marking the first official contribution towards the palace’s construction.

The Emorimor of Teso, Paul Sande Emolot, and Vice President Jessica Alupo have begun mobilising resources from across the region to support the project.

Leaders of the Iteso Cultural Union are optimistic that with unity among the Iteso people, they will successfully raise the required funds to complete the Palace.