Announcing the appointment in a letter dated June 22nd, 2026, President Museveni informed Kasolo that he would assume the role of Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, pending the presence of a substantive minister.
“By lining up behind a candidate, we feel it is more inclined in creating issues within our communities, including violence… we are saying electoral commission should reconsider and turn this election into a separate ballot, rather than lining up behind a particular candidate for the sake of unity and patriotism of Ugandans,” Oyat said.
The Ateker-speaking communities include the Nyangatomo of Ethiopia; the Toposa, Bari, and Torit of South Sudan; the Iteso, Turkana, and Masai of Kenya; the 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.
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.