Summary:
- Dr. Charles Peter Otim, chairperson of the construction committee and advisor to ICU leader His Highness Paul Sande Emolot-Etomailen, revealed that the groundbreaking ceremony will take place on November 27, 2024, with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni expected to be the chief guest.
KATAKWI: The Iteso Cultural Union (ICU), through a Memorandum of Understanding signed with Obuntu Firm, is set to build the long-awaited Heritage Home, locally known as Ere Iteso, with a budget of $15 million (55 billion Ugandan Shillings).
Deputy Information Minister for ICU, Abdallah Ochogia, on November 13, 2024, at ICU offices in Soroti City, informed the media that the government has allocated 250 million Ugandan Shillings to the institution through the Ministry of Teso Affairs. He added that an additional $1.5 million is expected from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to support the construction process.
Ochogia further stated that the ICU is currently in talks with the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) to commence construction.
Dr. Charles Peter Otim, chairperson of the construction committee and advisor to ICU leader His Highness Paul Sande Emolot-Etomailen, revealed that the groundbreaking ceremony will take place on November 27, 2024, with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni expected to be the chief guest.
Otim noted that this initiative aims to preserve and promote Iteso culture while providing a platform for cultural exchange, education, and community development.
During the tenure of the late ICU leader, Augustin Osuban, the Soroti District Council allocated 1.3 hectares of land to the ICU for the construction a project that the current leadership under His Highness Paul Sande Emolot has steadily pursued.
Emmanuel Ecodu, an architect from Obuntu Firm, stated that the administration facility’s design, approved by the ICU construction committee on June 29, 2024, includes homesteads, offices, a conference hall, a resource center, living quarters for officials, and other features.
Dr. Pascal Osire, vice chairperson of the ICU construction committee, announced plans to launch a fundraising campaign across the Teso sub-region, calling on all well-wishers to support the construction process. Osire cautioned the public against scammers, advising that no money should be given to anyone unless communicated by the ICU office.
Nosianta Emechu, the ICU Council Chairperson, along with leader Emolot and the entire team, commended their collective effort, commitment, and dedication. They also applauded President Museveni for his funding towards the cultural institution.
