His Royal Highness Paul Sande Emolot Emorimor Papa Iteso has released the long-awaited 2025 Iteso Cultural Union (ICU) Cabinet, unveiling a carefully balanced team with minor but significant reshuffles aimed at consolidating unity, continuity, and service within the Iteso community at home and in the diaspora.
The official list, approved by HRH Emorimor on 14 July 2025 and exclusively shared with Teso News Network, shows strategic replacements in critical posts left vacant by the passing of senior leaders and resignations to join elective politics.
Most notably, Emorimor has filled the position of Deputy Prime Minister Northern Region, which fell vacant following the untimely demise of Papa Jones Oluma.
Francis Edison Ecodu has been appointed to take on that role, ensuring continuity of leadership and representation for the Northern region.
Similarly, the position of Minister of Information and ICT has seen a transition following the resignation of Constantine Okwi, who stepped down to pursue elective politics.
His deputy, Stephen Ojacor, has now been elevated to the substantive ministerial role, reflecting Emorimor’s commitment to rewarding loyalty and continuity within the ICU structures.
He has also replaced Joseph Ojaatum as Deputy Minister for Tourism with Ogundi Sam.
In the accompanying statement, Emorimor emphasized that the new Cabinet aims to strengthen the unity and cultural heritage of the Iteso people, both within Uganda and across borders in Kenya and the diaspora.
“We are called to serve our people with integrity, humility and vision. This Cabinet reflects a broad and inclusive approach, recognising the diversity of our Iteso community across regions and in the diaspora,” Emorimor noted in his message.
Below is the full list of appointments as released by the Office of HRH Emorimor Papa Iteso:
CABINET
1. Prime Minister (Ekirigi): Rt. Hon. Ocole Andrew
2. Deputy Prime Minister Central Region and Minister of Lands: Hon. Okiror John
3. Deputy Prime Minister Northern Region: Hon. Echodu Francis Edison
4. Deputy Prime Minister East Teso Region – Kenya: Hon. Adungo Fredrick
5. Deputy Prime Minister Southern Region: Hon. Ekudel Charles
6. Deputy Prime Minister Diaspora: Rt. Hon. Okwalinga Emeruka
7. PPS Office of HRH Emorimor Papa Iteso: Hon. Okemer Juventine
8. Deputy PPS: Hon. Atyang Harriet
9. Minister of Cabinet Affairs: Hon. Ademun Stella
10. Minister of Finance: Hon. Emukule Kamu
11. Minister of Foreign Affairs: Hon. Diana Esele
12. Minister of Religious Affairs: Hon. Bishop Benard Ebiau
13. Minister of Agriculture: Hon. Olinga John
14. Minister of Culture in Charge of Diaspora: Hon. Mrs. Martha Acam Dzimega
15. Minister of Culture: Hon. Akiror Grace
16. Minister of Foreign Affairs in Charge of the Diaspora: Hon. Margret Aceger
17. Minister of Water and Natural Resources: Hon. Eng. Joseph Oriono Eyatu
18. Attorney General: Hon. Counsel Okalany Richard
19. Minister of Gender and Social Services: Hon. Auma Domitila
20. Minister of Ateso Language and Literature: Hon. Kalami Asa Orimodi
21. Minister of Co-operatives: Hon. Rev. Okwerede Alfred
22. Minister of Health: Hon. Prof. Okiria John Charles
23. Minister of Institutional Development: Hon. Ajkt Grace Ikirimat
24. Minister of Protocol and Royal Guards: Hon. Ajeko Peter
25. Minister of Security: Hon. Major Omagoro David Obuya
26. Minister of Education and Sports: Hon. Sheikh Obilan Abubakhar
27. Minister of Roads and Transport: Hon. Okwara George Ekirapa
28. Minister of Information and ICT: Hon. Ojacor Stephen
29. Minister of Mobilisation: Hon. Olaboro
30. Minister of Trade and Commerce: Hon. Okware Meshack
31. Minister of Animal Husbandry: Hon. Eric Odela
32. Minister of Tourism and Documentation: Amb. Ajuku Olekete Eric
33. Minister of Disabilities: Hon. James Etyang
DEPUTY MINISTERS
1. Hon. Eng. Angeret – Deputy Minister of Works and Transport
2. Hon. Amoit Tebaise Olvia – Deputy Minister of Mobilisation
3. Hon. Okurut Simon Peter – Deputy Minister of Lands
4. Hon. Odukeny Umaru – Deputy Minister for Disabilities
5. Hon. Ogundi Sam – Deputy Minister of Tourism
6. Hon. Atebat Grace – Deputy Minister of Finance
7. Hon. Veronica Amojong – Deputy Minister of Health
8. Hon. Okumu Vigilio – Deputy Minister of Trade and Commerce
9. Hon. Michael Opala – Deputy Minister of Investments
10. Hon. Etogot Charles – Deputy Minister of Co-operatives
11. Hon. Eropu Paul – Deputy Minister of Ateso Language and Literature
AMBASSADORS
1. Amb. Leonard Opolot – Ambassador to the UK and Chairman ICU UK
2. Amb. David Emoot – Ambassador to SADC, South Africa and Deputy Minister of Information
3. Amb. Lolem Filda – Ambassador to Germany
4. Amb. Okiror – Ambassador to Netherlands
5. Amb. Leonard Adude – Ambassador to Australia
6. Amb. Ojakol – Ambassador to UAE/Dubai
Emorimor’s office described the Cabinet as a “blend of experience and new energy,” with representatives drawn from all corners of Iteso society, including Kenya and the global diaspora.
Political analysts and community elders have praised the inclusiveness of the appointments, highlighting the balance between traditional leadership roles, regional representation, and professional expertise.
The newly named ministers are expected to be formally sworn in at an upcoming cultural ceremony in Soroti, after which they will immediately begin work on ICU’s priorities, among them strengthening cultural education, promoting Ateso language and literature, fostering economic empowerment, and championing the interests of Iteso communities abroad.
Observers note that the minor but strategic changes in this year’s list reflect Emorimor’s deliberate approach to maintaining stability while adapting to new challenges facing the Iteso Cultural Union in 2025 and beyond.
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I don’t see representation from Addis Ababa, South Sudan, TZ where the ateker are resident
We are believed to have come from Abisinia(Etiopia) yet I see no representation thre. Ateker people have been trying to trace their oriagin and linkages with Ateker in the Sudan and Etiopia.What’s ICU’s stand on that?