Kapchorwa Subcounty Saga: A Promising Dream Turned into a Political Dilemma

What began as a hopeful initiative to address the challenges faced by residents of one of Kapchorwa District’s most remote areas has devolved into a political impasse, leaving the people of Kwoti Sub-county in confusion and frustration.

The creation of Kwoti Subcounty, intended to bring essential services closer to the geographically isolated community, was spearheaded by Edward Twala, a former district councilor.

In 2015, Twala’s motion to carve out Kwoti from the larger Kapchesombo Sub-county was approved by the district council and later sanctioned by then Local Government Minister Tom Butime in 2017.

This move aimed to address the unique challenges posed by the area's separation from the rest of the district by a physical cliff, which hindered service delivery.

Twala, now 72, recounts that the Sub-county was partially operationalized in 2017 with allocated funds and appointed officials.

However, the 2021 election period marked a turning point.

According to Twala, the current Minister of Water and Environment, Sam Cheptoris, who also serves as the MP for Kapchorwa Municipality, used his political influence to halt the administrative functions of Kwoti Sub-county.

Twala alleges that Cheptoris influenced the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to withdraw staff and dissolve the Sub-county, preventing residents from electing local leaders in the 2021 elections.

“The minister influenced the CAO to withdraw the appointed staff and dissolved the Sub-county. When it came to the 2021 elections, the community did not take part in electing local leaders,” Twala stated.

District Chairperson Evelyne Kubarik further revealed that funds meant to operationalize Kwoti Sub-county were returned to the national treasury, dealing a significant blow to its prospects.

In response to these accusations, Cheptoris denied any political interference, instead pointing to legal complications that arose from Kwoti’s location within Kapchorwa Municipality.

He argued that carving out a Subcounty from an urban municipal boundary was legally flawed and unviable.

“I proposed to them that instead of a Subcounty, we advocate for a division within the municipality, which would be easier, but they refused,” Cheptoris explained.

The saga has left Kwoti Sub-county in limbo, with its residents feeling betrayed and neglected.

The larger Kapchorwa Municipality, already grappling with service delivery challenges, has become overburdened, leaving communities like Kwoti underserved.

As the debate over Kwoti’s status continues, the situation underscores the complexities of local governance and the consequences of political maneuvering.

For the people of Kwoti, the dissolution of their Subcounty has dashed hopes for better services and left them uncertain about their future.