Levi Emurugat, the chairperson of the Kamolo division located in the Eastern region of Kenya, has said that the Ateker festival is an event designed to unify the Ateker people across East Africa because they are one people.

Emurugat said this during the ongoing Ateker cultural festival on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at the Soroti Sports grounds in Soroti City.

“I am Ateso from Kenya, based in Kichu, which is the eastern part of Kenya, and it has about 11 divisions. The purpose of the Ateker festival is to unite us together as Ateker people. Unity is power, and that is why we are here. We want to enjoy together with the Karamojong of Uganda, the Turkana of Kenya, the Iteso of Kenya and Uganda, the Toposa of Ethiopia, and Jia of Sudan, and a few other tribes that speak a similar language like the Masai people,” Emurugat said.

He also thanked Ugandans for being hospitable people and giving them a sense of belonging.

“Uganda is very beautiful with warm, happy, and welcoming people. When we came here yesterday for the unique celebration of the Ateker people, we found people happy. We want to learn, share, enjoy, and appreciate our culture,” he added.

The 2024 edition of the Ateker reunion festival is running under the theme, “Celebrating Shared Heritage; Forging a Path Towards Peace, Prosperity, and Cultural Renaissance.” 

The festival has brought together various Ateker-speaking communities from Uganda, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Kenya, and Tanzania and is being celebrated in Uganda for the first time in history, attracting the patron of the Ateker people in Africa, H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn; ambassadors from Algeria, Libya, and Angola; cultural and religious leaders; and many other people.

The Ateker-speaking communities include the Nyangatomo of Ethiopia; Topotha, Bari, and Torit of South Sudan; Iteso, Turkana, and Masai of Kenya; Iteso, Karimojong, Jie, Dodoth, Kumam, Langi, and Kakwa of Uganda; and the Masai of Tanzania, plus other closely-knit groups spread across the greater East African region.