By Reuben Olita
The Iteso Cultural leader Emormor Paul Sande Emolot has revealed the benefits the Iteso in Uganda have reaped since abandoning the opposition and opting to join the government and for the prevailing unity.
Speaking during the burial service of the Iteso Cultural Union Commissioner Papa Mark Osilli Adungo, 84, at Ngelechom village in Chakol North Ward, Busia County in Kenya on Friday, Emormor said the Iteso community were in the opposition for a long time that spanned 25 years fighting in the Bush.
” We have a vice president ( Jessica Alupo) in President Museveni’s government. She crosses to Kenya anytime to show light to the Iteso community in Kenya,” Emolot said.
He added:” We are few, thus the need to unite during elections. We should not rush for one position. We shall fail. Rev. Etai, who is here, can bear me witness that two members from the Iteso community contested for one seat against other opponents in the recent Uganda elections, but both of them lost. This is a wake-up call to my subjects in Kenya that we need to read from the same script.”
Teso region in Kenya has three MPs in the National Asssembly with two constituencies ( Teso North and Teso South) and one woman representative. This is in big contrast with Turkana, which has 12 MPs in Parliament.
The Teso sub-regions in Eastern Uganda consist of 10 districts , plus Soroti City, which is treated as a separate local government unit.
The administrative units making the Teso sub-region include: Amuria, Bukedea, Kabaramaido, Kalaki, Kapelebyong, Katakwi, Kumi, Ngora, Serere and, Soroti District. The service sermon was presided over by Maseno North Bishop Emeritus Simon Oketch, assisted by ACK Katakwa Diocese Bishop John Okude.
Meanwhile, Emormor lauded Osilli for revamping ICU’s process, thus reducing conflicts, telling Teso residents to emulate what his advisor did.
He regretted that the Iteso language was drastically diminishing. ” You can be a Teso without knowing how to talk ateso. We took five people from the clan in Uganda to Makerere University to learn ateso. Let’s expand ateso. Ask the Kenyan government to start teaching children in primary schools and universities.”
The Abafofoyo and Marachi Cultural leader Godfrey Amollo Mareba, who was inaugurated on December 5, 2025, said he first came to benchmark on the Teso cultural chairman Ishmael Orodi.
Ossili’s chequered career
He was among officers who pioneered the establishment of Malaba Town Council
He served as chairman of Malaba Town Council
He was until his death, the vice-chairman of FOPPS
In 2010, he served as delegate no. 394 to the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission ( CKRC) working along Mathew Emukule and Roseline Ashepete as the three delegates representing Teso
He also participated in the Bomas constitutional draft & the 1st Wako draft, contributing to the foundations of Kenya’s current constitution.
Ossili was the father in law to the first Deputy Governor of Busia County, Kizito Wangalwa under Sospeter Ojaamong and 2017 gubernatorial aspirant and Chief Officer for Education and Vocational Training in the County Government of Busia, Daniel Mogoria.
Those present included former Nambale MP Sakwa Bunyasi, FOPPS national chairman Ben Akwara, Professors Esamai, Olubayi Olubayi, Justice (retired), Mathew Emukule, MCAs Dalmas Onjole ( Chakol North), Gardy Jakaa ( Bukhayo North/Walatsi, Dennis Okinda ( Matayo South), Nominated MCA Monicah Mungala, Teso South MP aspirant Jeff Osiba, and Women Rep aspirant Evelyn Ikwii Omasaja, ICU DPM Eastern Region Fredrick Adungo and ICU Minister for Public Works and Transport, Okwara Ekirapa, oiamong others.
