Five Heads Of State To Attend Ateker Re-Union Cultural Festival 2024 In Uganda

 Uganda will be hosting what is probably East Africa’s premier culture event, the Ateker Re-Union Culture Festival 2024 to take place in Soroti City.

 The Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development in partnership with the Iteso Cultural Union(ICU) are organising this year’s Ateker Re-Union Festival an annual social extravaganza and cultural festival that brings together various Ateker-speaking communities spanning across diverse ethnic groups from Ethiopia, South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and is coming to Uganda for the first time.

Five Heads of State from countries like Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan and Ethiopia are expected to grace the function with president Museveni Being the host.

"I am happy to report that we are expecting Heads of State from Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan and Ethiopia who will grace the event with their presence at the invitation of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who will be the Chief guest". Reveals Hon Betty Amogi the minister of Gender,Labour and Social Development.

The event will also be attended by Kings and Chiefs from Uganda and across Africa including the Zulu King as well as delegations from Tukiye(Turkey), Russia and Cuba.

This festival serves as a vibrant testament to the reunification of the communities’ decades after their dispersal and separation.She added.

These communities share linguistic and cultural ties, and the festival aims to celebrate and strengthen these bonds. Members of Ateker Communities include the Nyangatomo of Ethiopia; Topotha, Bari and Torit of South Sudan; Iteso, Turkana and Masai of Kenya; Iteso, Karimojong, Jie, Dodoth, Kumam, Langi and Kakwa of Uganda and, the Masai of Tanzania plus others closely-knit groups spread across the greater East African region.The Minister Revealed 

The festival is being celebrated under the theme: “Celebrating Shared Heritage, Forging a Path Towards Peace, Prosperity, and Cultural Renaissance.” The overall objective of the Ateker re-union festival is to promote and foster regional integration for social economic transformation.

 The key activities of the Ateker Re-union Festival will include: the Cultural performance: These will include traditional music, dance & drama, storytelling, highlighting the unique cultural expressions of the Ateker communities and beyond, Exhibitions: Exhibition of traditional crafts, attire, literature, foods and medicine for the Ateker People. This platform is envisaged to display different cultural and other products/works that entail, underly or manifest the spirit of African Renaissance. Sports: This will include traditional games and football under the concept of the Ateker Cup of Nations, for the promotion of physical fitness and cultural preservation, Tree planting Initiatives: It is widely appreciated that climate change remains a big obstacle to Africa’s development as African economies are predominantly dependent on climate sensitive sector like agriculture. Tree planting initiate will be one of the major greening efforts focusing on the indigenous trees species, aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and economic empowerment to the community,  Dialogues: Workshops, panel discussions, and conferences on the selected topical issued will be organized for different target groups drawn from the Ateker community and other stakeholders to engage on challenges impeding the Ateker people from embracing African renaissance, highlighting the role of cultural leaders in strengthening the cultural communities for socio-economic transformation.Said Hon Amongi.

 The Festival is expected to conclude with issuance of a communique on commitments for strengthening unity and promoting regional development.