itesoculturalunion.org

Emorimor’s Visit for Social Cohesion and Cultural Exchange Event in Nongoma, KZN

September 7, 2024

His Royal Highness Papa Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot Etomeileng III

Papa Paul Sande Emolot Etomeileng III, born in April 1962 into the Ikuruk Lukedos clan of Koitangiro Parish, Mella Subcounty, Tororo South Constituency, Tororo District, is the current Emorimor-the cultural head and unifier of the Iteso people. At 63 years of age, he embodies decades of leadership, cultural commitment, and service to his people

History

The Iteso Cultural Union (ICU) is the recognized cultural institution of the Iteso people, a proud branch of the Nilotic Ateker family.

The Iteso trace their ancestry to migrations from present-day Southern Sudan and north-western Kenya, where the Ateker groups dispersed and settled in different parts of East Africa.

One group moved southwards and eventually established themselves in the fertile lands between Lake Kyoga and the Kenyan highlands. Here, they became known as the Iteso, distinguished by their language, Ateso, and their vibrant traditions of cattle-keeping, crop cultivation, music, and oral heritage.

News

Culture

Press Release

Words of Wisdom/Acobeu

Entertainment

About ICU

The Iteso Cultural Union (ICU) is the official cultural institution and custodian of the heritage, values, and traditions of the Iteso people in Uganda, Kenya, and the diaspora. Established to preserve, protect, and promote the identity of the Iteso nation, the ICU serves as a unifying body that connects Iteso communities locally, nationally, regionally,
and internationally.

The ICU is led by His Royal Highness Papa Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot Etomeileng III, Paramount Chief of the Iteso.

Supported by a structured leadership council that includes the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers (representing diaspora, northern, central, southern, and eastern Teso), ministers, ambassadors, and a council of delegates.

This governance framework ensures inclusive representation and participatory decision-making for all Iteso people.

To safeguard and advance the cultural, social, and economic well-being of the Iteso people, while fostering
unity, peace, and development.

To promote and preserve the culture, heritage, and language of the Iteso people, while empowering communities through

To safeguard and advance the cultural, social, and economic well-being of the Iteso people, while fostering
unity, peace, and development.

About ICUDEF (Iteso Cultural Union Development Foundation)

The Iteso Cultural Union Development Foundation (ICUDEF) is the official development and investment arm of the Iteso Cultural Union (ICU). It was established to provide sustainable financial, technical, and professional support for ICU’s cultural, social, and economic programs.

AKALIAIT DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION (AKADEF) LIMITED

AKALIAIT DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION (AKADEF) LIMITED is a charitable organization registeredin Uganda.
It was founded by Her Royal Highness Juliet Among Emolot Atomeileng, the Akaliait (Queen) of the Teso Chiefdom.

While the Foundation is an independently registered organization, it is part of the Iteso Cultural Union structure and amplifies the Chiefdom’s reach and impact on a local, national, international, and global level.