If you didn’t know, there is a king who is respected by the Iteso people from both Uganda and Kenya. His name is Papa Emorimori Paul Sunday Emolot, and he is the real ruler of the Iteso community across the two countries.
His main palace is in Soroti, Uganda, where the largest number of Iteso live. In fact, in Uganda alone, the Iteso are spread over nine districts. Here in Kenya, we have only two districts where the Iteso are found – Teso South and Teso North. But that does not mean the king has no power on this side.
Papa Emorimori has his own ministers in both Kenya and Uganda. These ministers handle different departments just like in any normal government. And there is also a Prime Minister whose job is to watch over the work of the ministers and report back to the king.
Now here is something interesting. Apart from the Wanga community in Kenya, the Iteso are the only community that is ruled by a king whose office and authority are recognised by Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. That is a big deal because many traditional leaders are not given that kind of recognition.
The Iteso belong to the larger group of Plain Nilotes, just like the Maasai, Samburu, and the Karamojong of Uganda. So they have a lot in common with these communities in terms of history and culture.
And if you ever visit them, be ready to eat their favourite foods. They love cassava ugali, traditional vegetables, and dried meat. Simple but very tasty.
So next time you hear about a king who is not from the big famous communities, remember Papa Emorimori – the Iteso king who sits in Soroti but whose voice reaches all the way to Kenya.
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