Prime
President Museveni apologises to Emorimor
A mourner lays a wreath on the coffin of Joseph Obosa. Photo by Joseph Omollo
Tororo- President Yoweri Museveni has apologised to the Iteso cultural leader for the violent cancellation of the Iteso Cultural Festival by security forces last Saturday.
During the ensuing standoff, one person was shot dead.
The president's apology was contained in a condolence massage that was delivered, on his behalf, by the Minister in Charge of Teso Affairs, Ms Agnes Akiror Egolu, at the burial of Joseph Obosa, who was shot dead last Saturday during a scuffle between police and a group of protestors from Jopadhola community who were contesting the hosting of Iteso cultural Festival at King George Memorial Stadium, in Tororo town.
Mr Museveni condemned the brutality that was used by police and other security agencies against the paramount chief of the Iteso, Papa Emorimor.
''I apologize for the swift decision that government took to cancel your cultural festival including denying the Paramount Chief Papa Augustine Osuban from proceeding to speak to his subjects but since we owe you an apology, the state will take the responsibility of organising a similar event at a non- controversial venue," Mr Museveni said.
Mr Museveni promised to investigate circumstances that led to the shooting of Obosa in order to bring the perpetuators to book.
He said the government would support the family of Obosa since he was their single bread winner. Papa Emorimor Augustine Osuban decried the manner in which the police treated him saying he was reduced to a level of a common criminal.
"Tell Mr President that the manner in which his people treated was not human because I was held hostage for over two hours and later escorted home by two highway police patrol vehicles which scared my people," he said.
He asked the president to expedite his earlier promise to solve the outstanding conflict between the two tribes.
