By Our Reporters
SOROTI
The Iteso cultural union under the Ministry of tourism held a first planning meeting with all the Teso RDCs on Friday, 19 2026 at Sororti University on tourism development alongside the drive mobilization for the upcoming emaali cultural festival scheduled to take place on Saturday 24th October 2026 at Kololo ceremonial grounds under the them; celebrating heritage and building legacy dubbed as “Teso to the world”.
Mr. Eseru Paul, RDC for Amuria district welcomed the ICU tourism plan and emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting cultural tourism. He noted that the Emaali Festival is a prime opportunity to showcase Iteso heritage and boost domestic tourism outside Teso. He also emphasized that the festival will unite the Iteso diaspora and friends of Teso, highlighting cultural preservation and tourism development in Teso region.
Papa Alloch William Akoll who represented the Minister for Tourism (Hon. Eweku Charles) in Iteso Cultural Union read the minister’s remarks regarding the regional tourism development plan and the upcoming Emaali Cultural Festival as a stunning premier celebration of Iteso heritage, unity, and shared vision for development.
The statement reads; this annual gathering not only fortifies Iteso cultural identity but also serves as a vital platform for mobilizing communities toward socio-economic transformation.
He added that to ensure the safety, seamless organization, and success of the 2026 festival, it is paramount that we align our strategies with the central government’s local leadership of Teso region such as RDCs, LC5, CAO with the participation by regional stakeholders including religious organizations, schools and NGOS.
He further stated that the involvement of RDCs as the primary representative of central governance and security in your respective districts, plays an indispensable role in this alignment with emaali cultural festival that aims at mobilizing Iteso community for development.
The planning meeting discussed among other issues include; Security Briefing & Protocol: Coordinated crowd management and VIP security during the event, Community Mobilization: Strategies to engage local populations and encourage peaceful, constructive participation and Inter-District Coordination, Harmonizing efforts across the different districts within the sub-region and outside Teso.
Just like all RDCS, Mr. Omoding Stephen the assistant RCC for Soroti City expressed positive gratitude towards Iteso Cultural Union Leadership especial HRH Emorimor Papa Iteso for steering the development of Teso region.
All the RDCs present, welcomed the initiative and pledged total support. Highlighted the need for massive mobilization back home in the Teso region to ensure high turnout and active participation during planning process and at the actual day of the event.
However, the meeting adopted the road map for the successful implementation of emaali cultural festival 2026.
The road map was adopted as follows;
→ 19/06/2026 planning meeting with RDCS, Soroti University
→ 26/6/2026, meeting with LC5, CAOs and stakeholders, Soroti University
→ 1 /7/2026, meeting with school Heads, Soroti University
→ 1/7/2026(2:00pm), emaali cultural festival official launch, Soroti Hotel
→ 15/8/2026, HRH Emorimor Papa Iteso meeting with stakeholders and sponsors, Bugolo Royal Hotel,
Kampala
→ 24/10/2026, Emaali Cultural festival, Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, Kampala
