Emolot came under the spotlight after negotiating for the alleged withdrawal of the National Unity Platform- NUP candidate Joseph Okoboi Opolot during the Gogonyo County by-election in Pallisa district early this month.
Paul Sande Emolot, the newly elected leader of the Iteso
Cultural Union-ICU has been criticized for his
alleged involvement in partisan politics.
Emolot came under the spotlight after negotiating for the
alleged withdrawal of the National Unity Platform- NUP candidate Joseph Okoboi
Opolot during the Gogonyo County by-election in Pallisa district early this month.
In a press statement issued on August 7, Emolot said that his
involvement in the Gogonyo County by-election was for the unity of Iteso. “Upon my advice and in the interest of our people and the unity
of the region, he agreed to step aside and withdraw his candidature
from the leadership role in Gogonyo”, the press statement read.
But Emolot’s action irked a section of
political actors, Civil Society Organizations and religious leaders in Teso. They
said that the decision was in favour of the ruling party and an abuse of the Constitution of the Iteso Cultural Union as well as the Supreme law of the land that bars
traditional and cultural leaders from taking part in partisan politics.
Benson Ekuwe, the Public Affairs Centre- PAC Executive
Director says that Emolot’s actions have serious implications for the cultural
setting, especially in Teso which he notes is already polarized. He notes that
Emolot’s decision was not about the unity of Iteso but about personal interests.
//Cue in; “I don’t think…
Cue out…have you done?”//
Several opposition leaders in Teso questioned why Emolot didn’t
take part in the Soroti East by-election where the FDC’s Moses Attan Okia
struggled in vain to retain his seat. On social media, various personalities expressed mixed reactions over the decision by the new ICU leader.
Paul Ikwap, one of the renowned artists in the area took to Facebook to question
the authority of Emolot in ICU leadership. “Is he (Emolot) aware that being Emorimor means he is the
face of Teso? Is Mzee Emolot aware that he shouldn’t be partisan?”, Ikwap’s
post reads in part.
The Retired Bishop of Soroti Diocese Charles
Benard Ebitu Obaikol said that it is the responsibility of the cultural leader to
unite and pacify warring factions in his territory.
//Cue in; “The reason why…
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Emolot declined to comment on the matter but referred our
reporter to the ICU Spokesman, Gabriel Opolot, who said that
Emolot’s involvement in the Gogonyo County by-election was an initiative from the
candidates themselves.
//Cue in; “The two sons…
Cue out…Iteso have.”//
Emolot’s election as the next Emorimor is being challenged
in court by another faction that has named, Nicholas Dokoria Ocilakol as the
next Emorimor. Currently, the two leaders are running parallel activities;
Emolot’s team is involved in organizing an interdenominational prayer breakfast
scheduled for August 20 while Dokoria’s team is organizing the installation
function of their head on August 27 in Magoro, Katakwi district.
Emolot's installation as Emorimor is expected in November 2022.
