By Dyson Ebalu
Soroti –The interim Iteso cultural leader Papa Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot has named new cabinet.
Paul Sande Emolot was on Wednesday installed as the caretaker Emorimor by the Iteso Cultural Union (ICU) council, 11 days after the burial of the Teso cultural leader Augustine Osuban Lemukol.
The council also passed a resolution to disband the cabinet led by the Prime Minister, Augustine Omare- Okurut for alleged insubordination to the council.
The decision was reached during a special council meeting presided over by the council speaker, John Francis Ekuma at the ICU Offices in Soroti Wednesday. Ekuma said that the council’s decision is based on the provisions of Article XV11, Subsection (d) in (V1) of the ICU Constitution.
According to the constitution, the chairperson of the council deputizes Emorimor and in case of death or impeachment or failure of Emorimor to perform his duties, the chairperson care takes the office for six months before the next Emorimor is elected.
The ICU Cabinet led by Augustine Omare- Okurut was visibly absent during the Wednesday ICU council meeting. Omare and his group insist that the ICU Council is not legitimate since the former Emorimor had suspended it before his death. According to the June 14, 2021 letter to the ICU district chairpersons, the former Emorimor suspended the council following irregularities and inconsistencies in their previous elections.
The same letter dissolved the ICU electoral commission. But both Emolot and Ekuma insist that they were not served with the suspension letters. According to Emolot, Emorimor didn’t have the power to suspend the council, which means his letter was null and void.
After his inauguration, Emolot named John Francis Ekuma the Speaker of ATEKER council, Ivan Engoru the Prime Minister (Ekirigi) and Attorney General and Vance Omome the Deputy Ekirigi (Teso South).
Below is the full list of the appointees
John Francis Ekuma – Speaker of ATEKER council
CABINET
1. Ivan Engoru – Ekirigi/Prime Minister and Attorney General.
2. Vance Omome – Deputy Ekirigi (Teso South)
3. Peter Etyang Deputy Ekirigi (Eastern Kenya)
4. Adungo Fredrick – Deputy Ekirigi (Teso Central).
5. Auma Dolotina – Deputy Ekirigi (Teso Central)
MINISTERS
1. Andrew Ochole – Diaspora/Foreign Affairs
2. Aloch William Akol – Investment and Economic Affairs
3. Joyce Asekenye – Culture
4. Gabriel Opolot Mabior – Information/PRO
5. Hon Opule – Finance
6. Moses Omaje – Youth Affairs
7. Peter Ongaria – Security
8. David Asabu – Trade & Marketing
9. James Etuket – Office of H.H EMORIMOR
DIASPORA
1.Micheal Okwalinga – UK
2. Solomon Emong – UK
3. Filda Lolem – Germany
4. Dr. Ikatekit Okonera – SADC
ADVISORS
1. Fr Robert Ecogu
2. Bishop Charles Obaikol
3. Bishop Nicodemu Okille
The rest of the vacant positions, Emorimor Emolot says shall be filled at a later stage. Emolot will hold the position for six months, after which the election of the substantive Emorimor will be conducted.
