The Busia County Governor, Sospeter Odeke Ojaamong has lauded the fallen Iteso Cultural Leader, Augustine Osuban Lemukol Adugala Emorimor for enabling the creation of Teso homesteads in Kenya.
Ojaamong, who led a delegation of more than 200 Iteso from Kenya said that Emorimor helped the Iteso in Kenya to acquire a home from the Bomas of Kenya, which is the largest auditorium in Africa found in Langata, Nairobi. The village features replicas of traditional homesteads from 23 of Kenya’s ethnic groups. It also features traditional dances performed in its large auditorium.
According to Ojaamong, the influence of Osuban was demonstrated by the high respect accorded to him in Kenya. Ojaamong actually disclosed that Osuban’s influence enabled him to become governor even with the small number of Iteso in Busia County.
He added that Osuban has been a great counselor whom the Iteso in Kenya respected and associated with for his advice on unity and hard work.
The Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II said that Osuban was a valued friend and an advisor to his Kingdom. Through his message read by the 1st Deputy Premier, Prof. Twaha Kigongo Kaawaase, the Kabaka said the Osuban shared his wisdom and experiences in matters of development and cultural values.
The Executive Director of the Bakenye Isanga Development Association, John Elly Sabaganzi said that Osuban was a great leader with a kind heart for humanity.
The Bakenye condolence message read: “The Bakenye and the Iteso have had historical cordial relationships for centuries. Papa was a great friend who recognized, loved and worked with the Bakenye community. Papa championed the cause for repossession of land and property by many Bakenye who were displaced during the insurgency of the late 1980s and early 1990s. we strongly believe that those disturbances would have been avoided had ascended the throne earlier.”
The Prime Minister of Obwen’Engo Bwa Bugwe, Canan Wanyama applauded Osuban for the advisory role and guidance to the Bugwe community.
“Osuban was not only a friend of Obwenengo Bwa Bugwe bu an advisor too,” the condolence message read. “His guidance to our kingdom in the area of friendship and co- existence between the Iteso community living in Busia district and the local communities will never be forgotten.”
The premier of Tieng Adhola, Richard Josel Obbo said that Osuban was an embodiment of unity.
“The late was an erudite leader, an embodiment of unity, a peace maker and full of wisdom,” he said in the condolence read at Soroti Sports Ground on Thursday. “He was well grounded in his responsibilities at both the local and national outlook. The late took into consideration other peoples’ opinion in decision making, promoted dialogue and desired peaceful co- existence.”
Thousands of people thronged Soroti Sports Ground in Soroti City to pay their last respect to Osuban, the first legitimate Iteso Cultural Leader.Osuban’s body was driven to Soroti on Wednesday evening after coming through Tororo where he was eulogized by the Iteso. Throughout his journey from Tororo, several people lined up along the road to Soroti city where Osuban’s body lay at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Madera for a vigil.
His remains have been taken to Serere for another vigil ahead of Friday’s council session by the local governments from Teso. He will be laid to rest on Saturday at his home in Abilayep Village, Serere district.
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