Robinah Nabbanja, the Prime Minister, has told Parliament that the government is considering paying all cultural institutions Sh60 million each month to support their activities.
Nabbanja made the discovery during a special session of Parliament called to pay tribute to the late Emorimor Augustine Osuban Lemukol, the Iteso Cultural Leader.
On Saturday, Osuban died at Mulago National Referral Hospital, where he had been a patient since January 27. The Iteso Cultural Leader was admitted to the COVID-19 facility in Soroti for nine days before being referred to Mulago.
President Yoweri Museveni, according to the premier, has authorized an inter-ministerial group to examine all cultural organizations and recommend a monthly allocation of Sh60 million to assist them.
Nabbanja’s statement came after a motion by Cecilia Ogwal, a Dokolo Woman MP, who requested the government to resuscitate the Serere Agricultural Research Centre in honor of the late Emorimor, who she said played a key part in its establishment.
Ogwal also encouraged the government to expedite the construction of the official Teso Cultural Institution Palace in honor of the late Emorimor. According to Ogwal, the late Iteso Cultural Leader exemplified a high level of regional and national harmony.
Her motion, which was passed by the House, was an addendum to the Prime Minister’s earlier motion, which requested that parliament pay respect to the Emorimor.
After discovering that the Soroti district council has designated land on which the palace should be built, Betty Amongi, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, told parliament that the government is in the process of establishing an official palace for Teso Cultural Institution.
Meanwhile, a cross-section of politicians paid glowing tribute to the late Emorimor Osuban Lemukol, despite their political differences.
Deputy Speaker Anita Among praised the late for his distinguished service to his people and thanked the opposition for halting their anti-torture protests in order to attend the Special session to pay tribute to the late.
Nabbanja claimed in her motion that the late Emorimor used his position to promote moral and cultural values, solidarity, and government initiatives. She advised leaders to follow in her footsteps.
The late was described as tolerant by Mathias Mpuuga, the Leader of the Opposition, and this would be missed, especially at a time when many individuals are undergoing torture due of their political differences.
Mpuuga also encouraged the government to refrain from separating traditional institutions, claiming that they are supposed to bring people together.
Vice President Jessica Alupo urged lawmakers to stick to the Emorimor’s beliefs, noting that he never divided his people over politics and avoided political controversies.
Peter Ogwang, the State Minister for Economic Monitoring, emphasized the importance of assisting cultural institutions in their growth, and requested that his body be sent to Malaba, Kenya, where he has subjects.
The last trip for this Teso’s Cultural Leader will begin on Tuesday 15, with a requiem mass at Namugongo Catholic Shrine in Kampala, according to the government’s burial program announced on Tuesday by Minister Betty Amongi Ongom.
According to the itinerary, Emorimor’s remains will be transferred to Soroti through Tororo, where a second liturgy and paying of tribute will be held on Wednesday.
Before Emorimor’s bones are transferred to Soroti Sports Ground, another cluster of Iteso from Tororo will pay tribute to him.
On the 17th, a number of cultural leaders are scheduled to pay their respects to Emorimor at the Soroti Sports Ground before the remains are transported to Serere for tributes from Teso’s district local governments. His Interment is scheduled for
