Three of Kotido District’s most prominent leaders were ousted in a hotly contested and controversy-laden National Resistance Movement (NRM) mainstream structure election.
The once-unshakable incumbents — Jie County MP Peter Abrahams Lokii, LC5 Chairperson Paul Lotee Komol and Kotido Municipality MP Ismail Mohammed — all suffered stinging defeats at the hands of lesser-known challengers in what many are calling a watershed moment for local politics.
Lokii, who vied for the District NRM Chairperson position, polled just 257 votes losing to Paul Locha, who garnered 273 votes.
Meanwhile, Ismail Mohammed was defeated by Josphine Irwata, who scored 275 votes to his 251 in the NRM Vice Chairperson race.
Paul Lotee Komol and Charles Emuge locked horns in the General Secretary contest with Emuge polling 274 votes against 257 of Lotee.
Earlier in the week, the Kotido NRM elections were marred by serious allegations of kidnapping and voter coercion.
Several men in rural sub-counties claimed their wives were rounded up and driven away to unknown locations where they were allegedly pressured to vote for particular candidates.
In response to the uproar, the NRM Secretariat dispatched a special monitoring team to oversee the election and minimize irregularities.
Originally scheduled for Friday, 23 May 2023, the district election was postponed to Saturday. Security was beefed up at the polling center, and counting began late in the day.
James Tweheyo, a top official from the secretariat confirmed.
“We received credible complaints and had to intervene to ensure transparency. That’s why we postponed the election by a day — we needed to calm tensions and guarantee fairness,” Tweheyo said.
Despite the delays and unrest, winners emerged confident and triumphant.
“The people of Kotido have spoken clearly. They want fresh leadership, and I am here to serve with integrity and focus,” said Paul Locha, the new NRM District Chairperson, moments after the results were announced.
“This victory belongs to every woman in Kotido who is ready to lead,” added Josphine Irwata, who stunned many with her win.
Meanwhile, across the district, spontaneous celebrations erupted. Residents banged jerrycans, danced through the dusty streets, and sang local victory songs.
“We’ve had the same faces for too long. We needed change. We’ve got it,” shouted Maria Lochoro, a jubilant supporter waving a branch in one hand and a banner in the other.
As the dust settles, the focus now shifts to what lies ahead. With ties to break, wounds to heal, and allegations to probe, the NRM’s Kotido chapter faces a defining moment.
What’s clear, however, is that the 2026 general elections in Kotido will be a battleground.