By Vicent Emong
Kumi District politics took a dramatic twist when Stephen Opolot, a seasoned politician and former district leader, was duly nominated to contest for the LC5 chairperson seat in the forthcoming 2026 general elections.
Opolot, who parted ways with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party following a disputed primary election, declared that he would run as an independent candidate under the symbol of a chair.
Speaking shortly after his nomination at the district headquarters, Opolot told jubilant supporters that he was determined to steer Kumi towards greater development, dismissing the primaries as flawed and mismanaged.
“I know my electorates love me and they are still supporting me to win the final elections,” he said.
“Forget the issue of the primaries. I am back as an independent candidate, and what matters is the LCV seat, not the flag.”
Opolot alleged that despite winning in 14 out of the district’s 18 sub-counties and divisions, he was denied victory due to widespread rigging.
He opted not to pursue legal redress in court but instead decided to take his cause directly to the people.
His nomination was seconded by Josephine Oba, a Kumi resident, who described Opolot as a man with a “generous heart and the ability to unite people.”
Similarly, Francis Opoo, a voter from Kumi Municipality, welcomed the decision, noting that Opolot’s previous service as vice chairperson of the district under former LC5 chairperson Christine Apolot was a testament to his leadership.
“He is the only leader capable of taking Kumi District to greater heights,” Opoo emphasized.
However, Opolot will face stiff competition from the incumbent LC5 chairperson, Nelson Elungat Lakol, who was also nominated under the NRM ticket.
Lakol, seeking a second term, urged voters to give him continued support so he can complete his agenda.
The district returning officer, Jameson Okello, confirmed that the nomination exercise concluded smoothly without major challenges.
“NRM leads in the number of nominated candidates, followed by independents, then FDC. We also had aspirants from NUP and DP,” Okello said.
As campaigns loom, Opolot unveiled a roadmap for Kumi’s transformation, centering his agenda on inclusive development, improved governance, and service delivery.
He pledged to prioritize sectors that directly impact the livelihoods of ordinary citizens.
Opolot pledged to modernize agriculture, the backbone of Kumi’s economy.
He plans to introduce demonstration farms in every sub-county to equip farmers with modern practices, improve access to quality seeds, and strengthen value addition for crops like millet, cassava, and sorghum.
“We must shift our people from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture that can put money in their pockets,” he said.
Recognizing the district’s high school dropout rates, Opolot committed to strengthening universal education programs and lobbying for more secondary schools in underserved areas.
He also promised to support vocational training centers to give youth practical skills in mechanics, carpentry, tailoring, and ICT.
“The future of Kumi depends on how we empower our young people to be job creators, not job seekers,” he added.
Opolot promised to push for the upgrading of health facilities across the district, including equipping Kumi General Hospital with modern diagnostic equipment and increasing drug supplies at lower-level health centers.
He said he would also address the staffing gaps by lobbying for more medical workers.
Poor road networks have long been a hindrance to trade and service delivery in Kumi.
Opolot outlined a plan to work closely with the central government and development partners to rehabilitate community access roads and lobby for the tarmacking of key trade routes connecting rural farmers to markets.
Acknowledging public frustration over misuse of resources, Opolot pledged to institute a participatory governance system, where budget priorities are openly discussed with community leaders.
He also promised quarterly accountability forums to ensure that public funds are directed where they are needed most.
Having broken away from the NRM, Opolot stressed that his candidature was not about partisan politics but about uniting the people of Kumi.
“I am running as an independent because I want to be a servant of all. My chair symbol represents unity and stability, and my leadership will be inclusive,” he stated.
With the race now officially set between Opolot, incumbent Nelson Lakol, and other candidates from FDC, NUP, and DP, Kumi District voters are preparing for a heated campaign season.
Analysts note that Opolot’s strong grassroots network, coupled with his message of transformation, could give him an edge, though his departure from NRM presents a political gamble in a district historically loyal to the ruling party.
For now, Opolot remains upbeat. “Kumi deserves better, and together we can make it happen,” he told his cheering supporters as he waved the chair symbol high.
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