Kadodi Media House Your media place
By Our Staff Reporter
Soroti, Uganda – March 7, 2026 — In a landmark moment for the Iteso people, the Iteso Cultural Union (ICU) today officially launched the construction of Ere Iteso, the royal palace and cultural headquarters for His Highness Emorimor Papa Paul Sande Emolot, amid strong support from the Ugandan government.
The groundbreaking ceremony and fundraising kickoff, held at the ICU offices in Soroti, was presided over by Vice President Jessica Alupo, who represented President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. The event brought together cultural leaders, government officials, clan heads, and members of the Iteso community to celebrate the start of one of the region’s most ambitious cultural infrastructure initiatives.
Ere Iteso is projected to cost approximately Shs 53 billion (with earlier architectural approvals referencing around Shs 55.5 billion / ~USD 15 million). The complex will serve as the official residence of the Emorimor, house administrative offices for the Iteso Cultural Union, and function as a central hub for cultural preservation, community activities, and heritage promotion across the Teso sub-region.
Vice President Alupo delivered a message from President Museveni, announcing a direct government contribution of Shs 500 million to the project described not as a pledge but an immediate donation. She praised the ICU for spearheading an initiative that preserves Iteso identity while driving unity and development.
“The construction of Ere Iteso will play a vital role in safeguarding our cultural heritage and fostering socioeconomic progress in the community,” Vice President Alupo stated, urging Iteso people at home and in the diaspora, along with development partners and well-wishers, to generously support the fundraising drive.
His Highness Emorimor Papa Paul Sande Emolot expressed profound gratitude to the President, the government, and the Iteso community for embracing the vision. He emphasized that the palace will stand as a symbol of unity, resilience, and pride for future generations.
ICU Prime Minister Andrew Ocole highlighted the project’s scope, noting it will include modern facilities to support the cultural institution’s growing administrative and ceremonial needs.
Following the ceremony, clan heads from across Teso were flagged off to mobilize resources within their communities, marking the formal launch of a broad fundraising campaign targeting the Shs 53 billion goal.
The Ere Iteso project builds on years of planning, including architectural approvals in late 2024. Once completed, the palace is expected to become an iconic cultural landmark, boosting heritage tourism and reinforcing the role of traditional institutions in Uganda’s diverse cultural landscape.
Contributions to the project can be made through official Iteso Cultural Union channels as the mobilization effort intensifies.
