The embattled leadership of the Iteso Cultural Union -ICU under Paul Sande Emolot has defied a court order barring them from conducting any cultural activities. Early this month, Soroti High Court issued another injunction blocking Paul Sande Emolot, the new leader of the Iteso Cultural Union- ICU from performing any cultural roles.
It came after Emolot sailed unopposed through the June expression of interest and nominations conducted by the new ICU Electoral Commission for the Emorimor’s job. A program issued by the Prime Minister in Emolot’s cabinet, Vance Omome over the weekend, shows that his installation as the next Emorimor shall be conducted on October 21, 2022, at Soroti Sports Ground. The communication comes less than a week from the date court renewed its orders.
When contacted by our reporter, Omome said that they have defied the court decision because it is biased. Omome and other members of Emolot’s leadership argue that while the court has barred them from conducting any cultural activities, the other faction led by William Alloch, the Chairperson of ICU Founder members is progressing with their cultural activities.
Before releasing the program for the planned installation of Emolot as the next Emorimor, a group of youth protested the High court decision in Soroti City last week. Omome says that they are ready to mobilize over 2,000 clan leaders to walk to court should their activities be interrupted.
Emolot and his team have continued to conduct normal ICU business since the first court orders were made in April, 2022. He is currently reported in the royal company of African Kings and Queens who are signing Protocols on Human Rights at Atlanta City in the United States of America.
The Soroti High Court Assistant Registrar, Jessica Chemeri told our reporter on Monday that the aggrieved party (if any) should address their concerns to the rightful authorities other than violating court orders. She said that the court awaits feedback from the applicants over the matter to take the next course of action.
“Any activity done by ICU is in contempt of court orders. We are waiting for communication from the applicants regarding this matter for the next cause of action. If the other party has issues, let them seek legal redress other than going against court orders,” she said in her office.
Both Emolot’s team and the ICU founder members (applicants in court) are engaged in different cultural activities for the installation of parallel ICU heads. For the ICU Founder members, Mzee Nicholas Dokoria is reported to have already been installed as Emorimor in Katakwi district over the weekend.
In a message to social media platforms across Teso, Pascal Amuriat, the former Soroti East Division MP Candidate, said that the new Emorimor was successfully installed. “I’m happy to announce that His Highness Papa Nicholas Ocilakol Dokoria has been installed by elders in Magoror Airiget na Angisa. His new title after Asapan is Ocilakol. We are only awaiting a feast on September 5,2022. Emuria Koliai”, the message read in brief.
Since the demise of the former Emorimor, Augustine Osuban Lemukol in February this year, ICU has had succession challenges as elders fight each other over supremacy and legitimacy in the union. Emolot has strong attachment and influence on the clan heads while ICU Founder Members are backed by a section of elites in Teso, according to sources within ICU establishments.
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