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By Emmanuel Olinga–Teso
Soroti City is gearing up to hold the first-ever Ateker Reunion Festival in Uganda, with over ten thousand (10,000) expected to attend as the Ugandan government gives UGX 2.3 billion for the event.
The celebration, scheduled for November 27th to 29th, 2024, will bring together Ateker communities from Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Sudan to celebrate shared cultural heritage and encourage regional unity.
The Ateker Festival, which has traditionally been held in alternating places in Ethiopia and Kenya, is a prominent cultural event in which Ateker elders meet to honor their ancestry.
This year represents a watershed moment as Uganda, with the support of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, will host the festival for the first time.
The Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development Hon Betty Amongi announced plans to host approximately 10,000 people, of which foreign participants allocated 460, Kenya allocated 200, South Sudan 100, Ethiopian 100, Tanzania 64, and local participants 2,040, with each district allocating 60 delegates, Teso 540, Kuman 120, Bukedi 240, Karamoja 540, and Lango 600.
There are 2,040 festival attendees, 300 invited guests, 5000 members of the general public, 1000 NOC and support team members, and an estimated 200 service providers.
The president’s financial support demonstrates Uganda’s commitment to cultural harmony and African integration.
The first pre-activity was Karamoja cultural day, for which the government donated Ugx 200 million in cash to ensure the event’s success, while the second anniversary coronation of His Highness Emorimor Paul Sande Etomeileng, for which Ugx 300 million was paid in cash to facilitate activity, and Lango cultural day, which has yet to be hosted and will cost Ugx 200 million, as prepared by the Ministry of Gender. The remaining funds for Ateker Cultural are Ugx 2.3 billion.
Dignitaries from seven nations are anticipated, including Kenyan President William Ruto, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
The festival’s title, “Celebrating Shared Heritage: Path towards Peace, Prosperity, and Cultural Resilience,” shows its emphasis on togetherness and development.
Uganda’s Vice President, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, praised the commitment of government officials, particularly the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, to ensuring the success of the upcoming Ateker Cultural Festival, “The Tobong’u Lore” (come back home festival), which will be held at Soroti Sports Grounds from November 27th to 29th.
She thanked Ethiopian authorities for their support, noting that Uganda has been involved in the festival since 2001, when it first requested to participate in this major cultural event.
Vice President Alupo noted that the government’s financial support demonstrates President Museveni’s commitment to African unity and integration, and that funding this event is consistent with our shared aims of social and economic development.
Iteso’s Prime Minister, Ochole Andrew, promised that the event will be “more colorful than ever,” and Soroti Resident City Commissioner Peter Pex Paak urged effective communication among organizing teams to guarantee seamless preparations.
Media representatives expressed concerns regarding fair access to information and resources throughout the event, calling for more coordination among organizing committees as well as media inclusion.
The Vice President reassured them that their duties were critical to the festival’s success and promised improved communication.
As the Ateker Reunion Festival approaches, expectations are high that this inaugural Ugandan festival will have a long-term impact, fostering cultural pride, peace, and regional development throughout East Africa among the problems of Yangatom, Iteso, Topotha, Turukana, Karamoja, Kitengela, and Arusai.
