Cultural Leadership Of Iteso
Looking back:
Many people recall that there have been many attempts to build unity among Iteso for the sake of development. The first attempt occurred in 1930 when Eitojokare Einos loka Iteso kide na Afrika (Iteso Welfare Union of East Africa) under Nasanairi Olei and Gastapus Takan. This was followed in 1941 by the formation of Idwe Oduk, led by Nasanairi Esunget, who was the County Chief of Kumi. Then, in 1945, Iteso united under the banner of Amootoi na ka Iteso suswaite. The Secretary of the association was Misaki Ojirot. In 1946, Iteso started a publication called Erwom Iteso, led by Rev Michael Ekumu, and another titled Teso Okweny in 1960 which was led by a politician, Michael Etatao, in order to form a spirit of unity among Iteso. In 1948, there was a meeting of renown people from each County of Teso at Soroti Lukiiko Hall. They formed Ipamora Bus Company and Lasaro Okurut from Serere was chosen as Chairman.Those were blessed years because Iteso formed the well known Ipamora Bus Company and also started the well-known school, Teso College Aloet, and produced plans to create the best roads in Uganda.
Recent developments: There was an attempt, in 1994, to forge unity and to choose a leader to unify Iteso under culture in the districts of Soroti, Katakwi, Kumi, Pallisa, Tororo, Busia and Kenya. The plan was to give an opportunity to several areas to choose a cultural leader, a unifier with no political power or authority. Some people, nevertheless, were opposed to unity, and saw themselves as Ingoratok, Iseera, Iusuko, Iparisa, Itooro etc, an attitude that in the past helped foreigners to divide and rule Iteso. However, most people who had heard of Einos Iteso Kopiten after attempts at unity since 1950 recalled that the formation of cultural institutions met with problems associated with the lack of a unifying leader, Emorimor. Some mistakenly thought that the formation of a cultural institution was aimed at creating a monarchy; others wrongly felt that the aim was to create an organisation to oppose the NRM and the leadership of the central government. Others were fearful that a monarch would burden the people with extra taxes to support a kingdom.
Brainstorming in EIK: Many people remember the difficulties EIK has gone through. Let us support and strengthen the cultural institution of EIK; it is now clear that EIK is an institution for cementing unity based on Iteso culture. EIK was formed as an organisation for exchanging ideas, where Iteso met to share ideas and reach consensus.it was not formed in order to force society to accept the leadership of any individual or to establish a kingdom as in other areas. Iteso can agree or dissent. No individual or group can force their will on others.
Cultural leader a symbol of unity: The cultural leader is a symbol of the unity of Iteso. This unity is about the development of Teso, not of an individual. There are many symbols used for EIK, for example a coat of arms, a flag, an anthem, and others.