Respected Iteso cultural leader Joyce Asekenye dies at 57

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The Teso sub-region is mourning the passing of Joyce Asekenye, a revered cultural leader and head of the Ikarebwok Ikwangabukui clan, whose death has shocked the community.

Asekenye passed away shortly after midnight on May 20, 2025, in the Masaba Wing of Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, due to a blood clot in the heart, her brother Moses Oruta Okwalo confirmed.

Tributes have been pouring in from leaders and community members, many of whom described her as a passionate promoter of Iteso culture.

Kumi district woman MP Christine Apolot, shaken by the news, said she had met Asekenye just two weeks ago during the opening of the High Court in Kumi.

“She was outspoken and deeply committed to educating people about our culture,” Apolot said, describing Asekenye as a cultural beacon whose efforts reached across generations.

Augustine Okurut Omare, the former prime minister of the Iteso Cultural Union, also paid tribute, calling Asekenye a “pillar of cultural preservation.”

“Her passing is a significant loss to the Teso community,” Omare said.



Asekenye, 57, is remembered for her tireless dedication to the preservation and teaching of Iteso traditions and values.

Burial arrangements are underway, and the family says the date will be announced after the arrival of her daughter from abroad.

Who was Joyce Asekenye?

Joyce Asekenye was a prominent figure in the Iteso Cultural Union (ICU), deeply involved in preserving and promoting Iteso cultural heritage.

She served as minister in charge of culture within the ICU cabinet appointed by former Emorimor Augustine Osuban Lemukol. In this role, she was instrumental in implementing cultural programmes and initiatives aimed at strengthening the Iteso identity and traditions.

Beyond her ministerial duties, Asekenye was a founding member of the ICU, reflecting her long-standing commitment to the institution’s mission. She also represented Kumi district within the ICU, advocating for the interests and cultural values of her community.

In 2022, during a period of leadership transition within the ICU, Asekenye was reappointed as Minister of Culture by the interim leadership. However, she declined the position, citing concerns over the legitimacy of the appointment process and expressing solidarity with other members of the former cabinet.

Asekenye’s dedication to cultural preservation extended beyond the ICU. She coordinated the Teso Karamoja Women Initiative for Peace (TEKWIP), focusing on conflict resolution and women’s empowerment in the region.

Her passing is a significant loss to the Iteso community, where she is remembered as a cultural pillar and an advocate for unity and heritage.