Ugandan First Lady Janet Museveni to grace Turkana cultural festivals

LODWAR: The First lady of Uganda, Janet Museveni is expected to grace this year's tourism and cultural festivals in Turkana County.

The festivals dubbed Tobong Lore (Welcome back home) whose theme is cultural revival for peace and development will kick off on 27th-30th of August 2015.

Speaking at Elalee Centre in Lodwar where this years' event will take place, the County Executive Committee Member in charge of tourism, trade and industrialization, Lynus Ebenyo, said that the first lady will lead the celebrations during the first day.

"We have dedicated the first day of the festivals to prayer. The first lady of Uganda, Janet Museveni will lead the prayers assisted by local pastors fellowship, gospel artists and elders from the community," said Mr Ebenyo.

He added that the reason for the prayers was that the Ugandan government had done the same led by the first lady and peace had prevailed in Uganda and especially in Karamoja region.

"Mrs. Museveni who is the Minister in charge of the Karamoja region in Uganda employed prayer to complement security in a bid to bring peace in the region that had been marred by raids and cattle rustling. Since that time, the Ugandan border has been a safe haven for its people and their neighbours. They have also been disarmed and are now living peacefully. It is time we borrow a leaf from them," said Ebenyo.

Mr Ebenyo welcomed the world to the county to celebrate with them and to also connect with their ancesstors.

"Turkana has been proven to be the origin of mankind after the discovery of the Turkana boy which is the oldest fossil on earth. The Turkana nation which includes the Pokots of Kenya, Karamoja of Uganda, Toposa of South Sudan, Ny'ang'atom of Ethiopia and the Iteso are all welcome. We also welcome the people of Kenya, East Africa and the world to come and reconnect with their origin," added Ebenyo.

This year's event offers excursions to the virgin white sand beaches of the largest desert lake in the world, Lake Turkana and to archeological sites such as the Turkana Boy monument, Turkana Basin Institute and other tourism sites.

The festival which started last year aims at celebrating the rich cultural heritage which ranges from traditional dances, traditional regalia, songs, foods, lifestyle and the generosity of the Turkana people.