A prominent cultural initiation site in Teso has been transformed into a place of worship, now called Bethel Altar (the House of God). The transformation follows actions taken on November 11, 2024, when a team led by Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Peter Elwelu, the lead messenger of the House of the Almighty Father in Heaven Elohim, cleared and burned ritual objects at the Apuuton initiation site in Apuuton Village, Usuk Town Council, Katakwi District.

Elwelu who represents the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) in Parliament and is a former Deputy Chief of Defense Forces explained that the site was destroyed because its rituals conflicted with both Iteso cultural values and biblical teachings. “Consuming animal blood has been against the will of our Lord and Creator for centuries,”
said Elwelu, who also heads government monitoring in the Teso and Karamoja sub-regions.

He revealed that during eight days of prayer held in line with the Feast of the Tabernacles, he received divine instruction to convert the site into a holy altar dedicated to God.

Following the 2024 transformation, Elwelu said he was further directed by God to hold annual prayers every November 11 for seven years, a spiritual process meant to cleanse the land of ancestral sins. While he acknowledged that the ancestors “acted without knowledge of the implications,” he noted that their practices had brought division, hatred, and suffering upon the Iteso community.

The second annual prayers took place on November 11, 2025, drawing worshippers from across the region to the renovated site, which now includes two permanent structures, a pit latrine, electricity, and access to water.

Elwelu expressed faith that the annual prayers would strengthen peace and unity in Teso, saying: “I want to assure the people of Teso that this place will be a blessing for our community and all of Uganda. Individuals from diverse backgrounds will visit this powerful place of worship to witness the goodness of the Lord.”

He added that Bethel Altar would also attract visitors because of its historic and spiritual significance, noting that seating and resting areas had been added for pilgrims and tourists.

Despite ongoing criticism for dismantling a traditional heritage site, Elwelu maintained that any practice contrary to God’s word cannot be considered genuine culture.

Religious Leaders Support Transformation

Bishop James Israel Tukei of Light Resurrection Ministries–Soroti, representing Archbishop Dr. Moses Odongo, the General Overseer of the National Fellowship of Born-Again Pentecostal Churches in Uganda, confirmed that the church joined prayers at the site on Monday, continuing until 1 a.m.

He said worship resumed the following morning at 10:30 a.m. and ended at 4 p.m., focusing on uplifting Teso and seeking divine favor, protection, and prosperity.

Tukei explained that the location, once regarded as a “former altar of Baal” where people sought jobs and leadership roles, had now been rededicated as the House of God, in fulfillment of Judges 6:25. “You may recall that last year, a large snake was killed here, representing the deity of this place. We destroyed it and have now established a godly altar, not an evil one,”
he said.

The bishop emphasized that while the church values cultural heritage, God calls for a transformation toward a culture that honors Him, citing Exodus 20, which forbids the worship of other idols.

Community Reactions

Local residents expressed varied views on the transformation. Johnson Oriokot from Anyara Sub-county in Kalaki District described traditional rituals as outdated and inconsistent with present-day spiritual understanding.

Similarly, Alice Merabu Ouco, a 65-year-old resident of Apuuton Village, agreed that such practices belong to the past, adding: “We believe that perhaps God has granted this generation the insight to guide us forward, rather than backward.”

Another worshipper, Betty Aguti, supported the annual prayer gatherings, believing they would deliver Teso from challenges linked to ancestral practices and open a new chapter of peace and divine favor.