Summary:
- Alupo told the mourners that now is the time to explore areas of cooperation, particularly in social services and cultural transformation.
TORORO: In a bid to foster peace between the tribes, Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo has urged the Iteso and Japadhola communities in Tororo district to promote collaboration, unity, and peaceful coexistence to fully benefit from government programs.
“The people of Tororo should focus on what unites them, rather than what divides them. It is time to sit down and discuss the future direction of Tororo district,” the Vice President emphasized.
She made these remarks on Saturday, August 24, 2024, while presiding as the chief mourner at the burial of Miss Martha Bendo, 48, in the Western Division of Tororo Municipality, Tororo district.
Bendo was a sister to the Katakwi District Internal Security Officer, Lieutenant Moses Benon Oguti.
The well-attended send-off saw the presence of numerous dignitaries, including cultural leaders from both the Iteso and Tieng Adhola Cultural Unions—Papa Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot and His Highness Moses Stephen Owor, respectively.
Other attendees included members of parliament from the Teso and Bukedi sub-regions, Katakwi district officials, clergy, RDCs, as well as friends and family.
Alupo told the mourners that now is the time to explore areas of cooperation, particularly in social services and cultural transformation. She added that this can be achieved through joint efforts with the government to benefit the populace.
She pledged to use her office as a platform to facilitate dialogue between the Iteso and Japadhola communities.
“We should use occasions like this to advocate for social services such as the upgrading of health centers, construction of specialized hospitals, renovation of Tororo hospital, and tarmacking of roads, rather than discussing divisionism in the district,” Alupo said.
The Vice President reminded the mourners that we now live in a global village, and called for teamwork between the Iteso and Japadhola people to achieve socioeconomic transformation.
“Divisionism has been tried in Europe, South Africa, and other places, but it didn’t succeed. People had to unite and now live as one. Divisionism is no longer sustainable,” Alupo added.
She assured the people of Tororo that the political sectarianism witnessed in the district will soon come to an end.
“The issue of divisionism must stop completely. As leaders, we are here to facilitate and participate in dialogue. We will not use force but will continue dialogue until a consensus is reached so that the people of Tororo can fully benefit from government programs without being distracted by counterproductive issues,” Alupo said.
She further emphasized that the NRM party does not discriminate based on tribe, gender, religion, or age, adding that everyone is treated equally.
The Vice President thanked His Highness Moses Stephen Owor for inviting Papa Sande Emolot to attend the burial of his daughter, Martha Bendo, noting that this marked the beginning of dialogue between the two cultural leaders.
The Kwara Adhola is the caretaker of the Bendo family following the death of their biological head years ago.
Alupo urged the people of Tororo to embrace government livelihood programs such as PDM and Emyooga to fight poverty in their households, while the government continues to implement policies on education, health, infrastructure, electricity, and water for livestock and irrigation.
She commended the Kwara Adhola, who also serves as the Bendo family head, for raising such a dedicated son in the DISO of Katakwi.
“When DISO informed me of his sister’s sudden death, I was deeply moved. He was practically wailing on the phone for about three minutes—a rare occurrence for men. He spoke passionately about his sister, Martha, and all the good she did for the family while she was alive.
So, Your Highness Kwara Adhola, you raised a son with a big heart. These are the kinds of families we should nurture—African families full of love, unity, humility, peace, and togetherness,” Alupo said to the mourners.
She encouraged cultural and religious institutions to take inspiration from this family by helping the nation raise children who are compassionate and humble.
Kwara Adhola Moses Stephen Owor told mourners, “The world is becoming one, and if charity begins at home, it is the obligation of the people of Tororo to ensure that whatever may have separated them, each person examines their conscience to understand the causes of disunity in this district.”
The king described Tororo as a mother town and a mini-United States. “In the United States, they have a motto: ‘We are all one, though originating from different directions.’ Similarly, there are many people living in Tororo who come from different parts of Uganda and beyond.”
Kwara Adhola emphasized the paramount importance of peace, unity, and development, reinforcing the shared values and aspirations of the Padhola people.
Papa Emorimor Paul Sande, invited to speak by his counterpart Kwara Adhola, called for peaceful coexistence between the Iteso and Japadhola people and reminded them of the enduring values that bind their communities together and the collective efforts needed to drive forward the region’s development.
He stated that the cultural leaders of the Iteso and Japadhola communities are taking steps to reunite their people to foster development and peaceful coexistence.
