By Stanley Ebele
Preparations for the 10th Edition of Karamoja Cultural Festival have hit a dead-end as Esther Davina Anyakun, the state minister for Labor, Gender, and Social Development in charge of Employment and Industrial relations, and Peter Lokeris, the Minister of Karamoja Affairs remain at odds over the venue.
The annual event which brings together Ateker cluster speakers from Uganda, South Sudan, Kenya, and Ethiopia to celebrate cultural diversity, peaceful coexistence, and embrace tourism is slated to take place from September 22nd -27th.
However, the event is facing uncertainty as the planning committee has halted preparatory meetings for two months due to a conflict between two senior government ministers over the venue.
Minister Anyakun, who is also the Woman Member of Parliament for Nakapiripirit District, wants the event hosted in Nakapiripirit Town Council while Minister Lokeris argues that it should be held at Chekwii East Constituency.
With only two weeks left until the festival, the delay by the two conflicting leaders in agreeing on a venue, has sparked concerns among the district leaders, with some pulling out of the organizing committee.
George Owanyi, the Resident District Commissioner of Nakapiripirit, stated that the planning committee has not convened for a meeting in recent months, leaving other stakeholders, such as security, unsure of what is happening.
He appealed to the warring parties to entomb their political egos and focus on laying down strategies on how to make the event a success.
Richard Locoto, the speaker of Nakapiripirit district, said that the disagreement between the two leaders of high-caliber has stalled the preparations.
Patrick Korobe, an artist in Kotido and a member of the Karamoja Cultural Association (KCA), expressed disappointment in the poor planning and urged KCA to take over the organization plans.
Karamoja Cultural Association, focuses on sharing and preserving Karamoja culture, with interests in local healthcare and peaceful coexistence among the indigenous communities.
Also Read:https://radioetoil.com/tag/karamoja-cultural-event/#google_vignette
https://www.radiocomnetu.org/etoilakaramoja/2023/08/24/431
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