Gen. Salim Saleh has advised leaders from the Teso sub-region to focus more on fighting poverty and improving people’s livelihoods instead of spending their time seeking intervention for former Speaker of Parliament Anita Among.
The remarks were reportedly made during a meeting between Gen. Saleh and a delegation of Teso cultural leaders, Members of Parliament, and other regional leaders at his home in Kapeeka, Nakaseke District.
The delegation was led by Emorimor Papa Paul Sande Etomeileng Emolot, who visited Gen. Saleh as part of efforts to discuss issues affecting Anita Among, who is currently facing investigations and public criticism.
However, Gen. Saleh reportedly shifted the discussion toward economic challenges facing the Teso community, saying that poverty remains one of the biggest problems affecting the region.
According to people who attended the meeting, Gen. Saleh told the leaders that their priority should be improving the lives of ordinary people instead of focusing all their energy on political matters.
He reportedly urged the Teso leadership to concentrate on wealth creation and finding ways to increase household incomes across the sub-region.
“Stop running around,” Gen. Saleh reportedly told the leaders, encouraging them to dedicate more attention to development efforts.
He said that statistics show that many people in Teso continue to struggle with poverty and that leaders should use their positions to encourage economic empowerment.
Gen. Saleh emphasized the importance of promoting productive activities that can help families earn sustainable incomes.
He reportedly asked the Emorimor and other cultural leaders to use their influence to spread the message of wealth creation among the Iteso community.
The General, who has promoted economic programs in different parts of Uganda, said that cultural leaders have an important role in encouraging citizens to participate in income-generating activities.
He reportedly explained that the challenges facing Teso require practical solutions that focus on agriculture, business, and other opportunities that can improve people’s standards of living.
Gen. Saleh also highlighted the need for communities in Teso to embrace agricultural projects, including coffee and cashew nut growing, as possible sources of income.
He said that such initiatives could help families become financially independent and reduce reliance on outside support.
The meeting, which was initially expected to focus on Anita Among’s situation, reportedly turned into a broader discussion about economic transformation and poverty reduction.
The Teso leaders welcomed the conversation, saying that improving the welfare of the people remains one of the most important responsibilities of leadership.
Emorimor Papa Paul Sande Etomeileng Emolot reportedly appreciated Gen. Saleh’s advice and promised to continue encouraging the Iteso community to participate in wealth creation programs.
The delegation included several political leaders from the region, among them Teso Parliamentary Group Vice Chairperson Emmanuel Omoding and Members of Parliament Margaret Etilu, Samuel Ediau, Constantine Okwii, and David Okweere Beecham.
The leaders reportedly agreed that addressing poverty should remain a major focus because economic challenges affect many families across the region.
Gen. Saleh’s message has sparked discussions about the role of cultural and political leaders in balancing political concerns with the everyday needs of citizens.
As debates continue over Anita Among’s situation, the General’s message to Teso leaders highlights the importance of economic development, poverty reduction, and empowering communities to create better opportunities for themselves.
