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Katakwi, UGANDA | THE INDPENDENT | Iteso Cultural Union (ICU), headed by Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot, has reopened two cultural sites that were destroyed by former UPDF Deputy Chief of Defense Forces, General Peter Elwelu.
Last year, two renowned cultural sites in Katakwi District were demolished under the orders of Elwelu.
Elwelu publicly warned on local radio stations in Teso that anyone attempting to revive these sites would face violence. General Elwelu, who also oversees Elohim Ministries Church in Teso, justified the destruction labeling the sites as devoted to “evil darkness” and claiming they harboured malevolent forces contributing to the suffering of the Teso Sub-region.
His actions led to backlash from elders and clan heads, who viewed the act as an affront to their heritage.
During the reopening ceremony on Monday, Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot and ICU leaders visited Airiget in Oponyong Village, Owokodia parish, Usuk Sub-County.
Community members recounted their fear following Elwelu’s threats, especially those directed towards the elders who lead the cultural initiation practices known as Asapan.
Odeke shared the impact of Elwelu’s comments, stating, “All our cultural activities here completely got shut down right from the coming of Gen. Elwelu who threatened to deal with our people practising these activities.”
Clan chairman Robert Ongima revealed that the community has lived in fear since the site destruction, with many people abandoning their homes.
“We have been fearing for our lives; some of our men have taken off from the village and not returned since that time,” Ongima said.
The reopening meeting focused on plans to develop and officially recognize all cultural sites as tourism destinations, starting with those destroyed by Elwelu.
Emorimor criticized Elwelu for erasing the culture and a lack of respect for traditional heritage, emphasizing the importance of initiation practices like Asapan for leaders within the Iteso Cultural Union.
“I have forgiven Gen. Elwelu but warned him; I have already reported the matter to His Excellency the President and relevant authorities regarding his conduct,” Emorimor noted.
Andrew Ocole, ICU Prime Minister, confirmed that negotiations with residents to transform the sites into significant tourism attractions are in the final stages.
“We have partially acquired resources to set these sites into major tourism sites; we are now finalizing negotiations with the area locals, and all are positively progressing,” Ocole announced.
The councillor of Owokodia parish, Usuk Sub-county Gareth Akello, called for swift action to convert the reopened sites into tourism destinations, which will help boost income in the region, marking a positive move towards revitalizing the region’s economic prospects.
Recently, Emorimor declared an initiative to invest in tourism as a strategy to improve the livelihoods of his subjects, signalling a hopeful future for Teso’s cultural revival and economic growth.
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