State Minister for Works and Transport and Amuria County Member of Parliament, Hon. Musa Ecweru, has called on all Ugandans to attend the upcoming Ateker Re-union Festival 2024 in large numbers.
State Minister for Works and Transport and Amuria County Member of Parliament, Hon. Musa Ecweru, has called on all Ugandans to attend the upcoming Ateker Re-union Festival 2024 in large numbers.
Speaking in an interview with a local radio station, Ecweru confirmed that this year’s festival will take place in Soroti City from November 27th to 29th, 2024. The event, which will bring together various ethnic groups from across East Africa, is aimed at promoting cultural heritage, fostering tourism, and addressing key challenges faced by the Ateker people, including insecurity and poverty.
The Ateker community, which includes the Karimojong of Uganda, Nyangatom of Ethiopia, Toposa of South Sudan, Turkana of Kenya, and Maasai of Tanzania, will be represented in large numbers at the festival. Ecweru, who serves as a member of the event’s National Executive Committee, emphasized that the Ateker Re-union Festival is not only about celebrating cultural diversity but also about uniting people across borders for the betterment of the region.
During the interview, Ecweru highlighted the pressing need for greater regional integration and development, particularly in terms of infrastructure. He pointed out that the Ateker community, through their various leaders, has requested the heads of state from their respective countries to prioritize the development of cross-border transport networks. One of the most critical infrastructure needs is the construction and improvement of cross-border railways, which would significantly boost the transportation of goods and services across the region.
Ecweru emphasized that improving these transport systems will not only enhance economic activity but also help reduce the barriers of trade that have hindered regional cooperation. It will allow easier movement of commodities, lower transportation costs, and ultimately contribute to the overall economic growth of the region.
The Ateker Re-union Festival is expected to be a significant event, highlighting the importance of unity, cooperation, and development among the communities and nations of the Ateker region.
