In the hills of Sebei, on the slopes of Mount Elgon, Isaac Maikut’s journey from farmer to Member of Parliament is a story deeply rooted in community, innovation, and agricultural leadership.
Maikut recently defeated incumbent Chemaswet in the parliamentary elections and is among those set to be sworn into Uganda’s 12th Parliament as the representative for Soi County, Kween District.
His path to politics, residents say, was nurtured long before he entered the electoral arena.
Before stepping into elective politics, Maikut built a strong reputation as a practical and innovative farmer. His farm became a living classroom, attracting neighbors eager to learn improved dairy techniques, irrigation systems, and modern pasture management.
Youth groups initiated poultry projects, while women farmers adopted better vegetable-growing methods after observing his farm’s practices.
“Farming opened my mind,” Maikut says. “It showed me that a farmer from a small place like Soi can compete anywhere if we apply science and discipline.”
His agricultural contributions earned him national recognition when he was named Overall Farmer of the Year in 2017, a prestigious award celebrating innovation in farming.
The honour took him to the Netherlands, where he studied advanced farming technologies and organized production systems, experiences he brought back to empower farmers in Sebei.
By the time Maikut entered the parliamentary race, he had already cultivated a strong following among farmers whose incomes had improved thanks to his guidance.
Belinda Chelangat, a tomato farmer in Soi, says his leadership was evident long before politics.
“He didn’t just talk like politicians do,” she said. “He showed us practical ways to improve our harvests and earn more income.”
Maikut is also a petroleum engineer, having worked with major players in Uganda’s oil sector, including the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), CNOOC, and Tullow Oil.
Despite his professional career, he continued investing in agriculture, turning his farm into a demonstration site for modern farming practices.
Public service runs in his family. His late father, Chebet Maikut, served as Member of Parliament for Kween District and later as Commissioner for Climate Change in the Ministry of Water and Environment.
Now MP-elect for Soi County, Maikut says agriculture will remain central to his legislative priorities.
“We must help farmers move from subsistence to commercial agriculture,” he says. “Agriculture feeds this country and deserves stronger representation.”
For many residents of Soi County, Maikut’s rise from farm to Parliament reflects the same principles that guide successful farming — patience, knowledge, and consistent hard work.
