Leaders of the Iteso Cultural Union have reconciled and signed a memorandum of understanding to withdraw a court case challenging the election of the Paramount Chief, in a move hailed as a major step toward unity and development in the Teso sub-region.
The reconciliation ceremony, held at the Union’s headquarters in Soroti, was marked by joy and relief as cultural leaders witnessed the formal agreement between Paul Sande Emolot, the Emorimor, and Mr William Alloch Akol, who had petitioned the High Court challenging the cultural leader’s election.
Since the election of Emorimor Emolot, Alloch,
the chairperson of the Iteso House of Elders, alongside others, had gone to
court citing alleged irregularities in the electoral process.
The petitioners argued that the election did
not strictly follow the procedures of the Iteso Cultural Union and sought
nullification of the outcome.
However, after months of mediation, the two
sides agreed to resolve their differences amicably and withdraw the case, signaling
a new chapter of cooperation within the cultural institution.
Emmy Geoffrey Sayekwo, the Deputy Registrar of
the Soroti High Court who chaired the mediation committee, confirmed that the
matters raised by the aggrieved parties were conclusively handled through
internal dialogue.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Mr
Alloch acknowledged that while there were genuine concerns that prompted the
court action, the ultimate goal was to pave the way for reconciliation and
stability within the Union.
“I could not allow the court ruling to take
place in order to avoid the huge expenses that both my team and Emolot’s team
were going to face,” Alloch said. “My decision to go to court was meant to
quench the annoyance and open the door for dialogue.”
He urged the people of Teso to prioritise
amicable settlement of disputes rather than resorting to litigation,
emphasising that unity remains paramount for the region’s progress.
Alloch further called on Emorimor Emolot to
bring on board competent leaders to strengthen the Iteso Cultural Union and
advance the Teso development agenda.
He encouraged leaders across the sub-region to
consult the Emorimor on key matters affecting development and challenged the
cultural leadership to engage Iteso both at home and in the diaspora.
He also appealed to the Soroti circuit court
to continue emphasising dispute resolution mechanisms and asked the Office of
the Resident City Commissioner in Soroti to work closely with the cultural
institution when implementing government programmes targeting the Iteso
community.
Andrew Ochole, the Iteso Cultural Union Prime
Minister, thanked Emorimor Emolot for personally participating in the mediation
process and commended Alloch and his team for embracing dialogue after what he
described as a difficult but fruitful engagement.
“This has been a hard mediation struggle, but
today we celebrate unity,” Ochole said, announcing that a meeting of all newly
elected Teso leaders will be convened before they are sworn in.
In his remarks, Emorimor Emolot expressed
gratitude to Alloch and his colleagues for agreeing to withdraw the case from
the High Court, describing the decision as courageous and selfless for the good
of Teso.
He appealed to the Iteso community to emulate
the spirit of dialogue in resolving land conflicts and other disputes that have
burdened courts of law.
The Emorimor reiterated his commitment to
championing development initiatives and called for collective efforts to build
the Iteso palace and strengthen the Union’s structures.
“We must put aside our differences and work
together for the prosperity of our people,” Emolot emphasized, inviting clan
leaders and stakeholders to rally behind the reconciliation process.
John Michael Okurut, the Resident City
Commissioner of Soroti City, described the reconciliation as the beginning of a
new journey for Teso.
He urged the Emorimor to embrace the new team
in good faith and encouraged all leaders to move forward without dwelling on past
grievances.
The ceremony drew attendance from cultural and
religious leaders, security officials, and representatives from Uganda and
Kenya, symbolising broad support for the unity initiative.
Observers credited both Emorimor Emolot and
William Alloch Akol for demonstrating maturity and statesmanship, noting that
their willingness to reconcile has set an example for conflict resolution and
collective leadership in Teso.
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