The Iteso Cultural Union Kenya chapter is lobbying for construction of a mini-palace for the Iteso king in Kenya.
Union deputy prime minister in charge of Kenya Fredrick Adungo told the Star on Thursday the palace will act as a state lodge for the Iteso kingdom’s leader.
It will be at the mini-palace that the king will be holding meetings and hosting delegations whenever he visits Kenya, Adungo said.
The main palace will be constructed in Soroti town in Eastern Uganda. The Itesos regard Soroti as their headquarters.
The mini-palace will also have accommodation facilities for the king popularly known in Teso as the Emorimor, Adungo said on the phone.
“This is one development that we are pushing and as ICU-Kenya, we have shared the idea with the Emorimor. We are glad it is being taken into consideration,” Adungo, who hails from Teso South subcounty, said.
On July 23, the new Emorimor, Sande Emolot, said construction of a modern palace will be his first priority when he takes over kingship after swearing-in in November.
Emolot was endorsed by 2,000 delegates on July 23, to take over the reins of power following the death of his predecessor Emorimor Augustine Lemukol Papa Osuban on February 5.
The Emorimor-elect is currently on an official tour of Guyana in South America.
He said he will closely work with ICU partners to build a modern cultural centre in Soroti.
Emolot said it was unfortunate the late Emorimor breathed his last before the Iteso kingdom could get a palace.
“My focus will be to build a modern palace,” Emolot, who until Papa Osuban’s death served as the ICU prime minister, said.
“The Emorimor died without a palace and I'm challenging everybody in Teso to contribute to this noble idea."
Emolot said they will be working closely with partners to build a palace.
“I know we might face a few challenges here and there but that should not kill our spirit in achieving this goal. I am ready to dialogue with everyone in Teso for purposes of building a strong cultural institution,” he said.
Among the partners the cultural institution is banking on to actualise the dream of building a modern palace and a cultural centre is ODM leader Raila Odinga.
On February 18, Raila promised to construct a new palace for the Emorimor and a cultural centre for the Iteso in remembrance Papa Osuban.
The former Prime Minister said the ODM party will facilitate the construction and completion of the two investments.
Raila made the revelation in a speech read by National Resistance Movement Eastern Uganda vice chairman Mike Mukula during the funeral service of Emorimor Papa Osuban in Soroti.
“I had a commitment with Papa Emorimor, myself and our party ODM, which has very strong support among the Iteso community. We will help set up a cultural centre and a palace for the community. We will do everything in our ability to make this happen in honour of Papa,” he said.
“As a party and as a leader, we look forward to working closely with the people of Uganda to strengthen the ties of the two countries and our people. That is what Papa stood for and wished.”
Edited by A.N
“WATCH: The latest videos from the Star”