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.
The Ateker people, who reside across several East African countries, including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sudan, have long shared linguistic and cultural ties.
When he was brought before the general court martial chaired by Brig Gen Freeman Mugabe, the prosecution stated that Besigye and Haji Obied Lutale were on November 16, 2024, while at Riverside Apartments in Nairobi, Kenya, found in unlawful possession of two pistols and eight rounds of ammunition, which are ordinarily the monopoly of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF).
“We want to put the Kenyan government on the spot; how do people come to visit Kenya and are returned back to the country forcefully without being deported or extradited?"
The Ateker festival, which is celebrated under the theme Celebrating Shared Heritage, Forging a Path Towards Peace, Prosperity, and Cultural Renaissance, will also feature members of Ateker Communities, including the Nyangatomo of Ethiopia, Topotha, Bari & Torit of South Sudan, Iteso, Turkana, and Masai of Kenya, Iteso, Karimojong, Jie, Dodoth, and Langi of Uganda, and the Masai of Tanzania.
Besigye has been seen arriving at the court martial in Makindye, Kampala on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, and is currently appearing before the prosecutor, Brig Gen Freeman Mugabe, the Chairman of the General Court Martial to be read his charges.