The simmering feud in Kumi District between Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) James Kyoma and the district’s political leadership has taken a new twist, after Kyoma penned an emotional evening response to his critics, defending his anti-corruption stance and rejecting claims that his methods are authoritarian and divisive.
In his latest statement, Kyoma urged political leaders and the public to allow ongoing investigations to run their course instead of turning the matter into a “blame game.”
“All the issues I presented are before police and other security agencies, with files already opened. I request that we allow the law to take its course,” Kyoma wrote.
The Deputy RDC insisted that his actions were not politically motivated but rooted in his constitutional mandate to protect government programs in the district.
“I’m simply doing my work as mandated to protect the implementation of government programs. Whatever I mentioned is on record. I don’t need authorization from the CAO or LC5 Chairperson to cause an arrest, provided I have information and evidence,” he said.
Kyoma emphasized that his role was not to engage in endless social media battles with politicians but to enforce accountability.
“I don’t like responding to propaganda online. I’m not a politician. Give me time to do my work with thorough investigations and the truth will shortly be clear to the community,” he noted.
The RDC questioned why his critics had remained silent on the very issues that triggered his crackdown, particularly the controversial UGX 1 billion road works and road fund projects.
“Why are they not talking about the one billion road funds works which caused the engineer to be arrested?” he asked.
He said joint monitoring exercises with the District Service Commission (DSC) revealed glaring discrepancies, including incomplete projects that had been reported as finished, and murram works that fell short of expected kilometers.
“All members of the DSC except the district chairperson recorded statements at police, and investigations are ongoing. What brought all this is the rot in road works,” Kyoma stressed.
The Deputy RDC also defended his decision to arrest Community Development Officers (CDOs) and parish chiefs accused of creating ghost beneficiaries under the Parish Development Model (PDM).
“I arrested CDOs and parish chiefs who had connived to create ghost beneficiaries. They refunded millions of shillings and even wrote apologies. Copies of those confessions are in my office,” he explained.
Kyoma argued that his interventions had restored integrity in the PDM program.
“As I speak now, there are no more complaints of extortion in PDM in Kumi. Beneficiaries are productively growing, and the money is working for the people as government intended,” he said.
Responding to accusations that his leadership style is heavy-handed, Kyoma described himself as a sober leader acting in the best interests of the community.
“I am very human and sober. I cause arrests only when I have evidence. I act like a father in the district,” he wrote, adding that his objective is not to fight individuals but to root out corruption and sabotage of government programs.
Kyoma hinted at more revelations to come, promising that ongoing investigations would soon expose further irregularities.
“Actually, a lot is soon going to be unveiled to the public as far as corruption in Kumi is concerned. Just watch the space,” he warned.
The Deputy RDC accused his critics of politicizing legitimate accountability processes and using smear campaigns to divert public attention.
“People should not mix politics with our work. We need your protection. To make it clear, I am not fighting anyone but fighting corruption,” he emphasized.
Kyoma’s remarks come barely 24 hours after Kumi District Vice Chairperson, Sam Akol, released a lengthy counter-statement branding him “a liar” and accusing him of unlawful arrests, intimidation of teachers during the recent strike, and poor working relations with other security officers.
Akol further alleged that Kyoma was using corruption rhetoric to seek publicity and secure a promotion, claims Kyoma has now brushed aside as political mudslinging.
As the war of words escalates, Kumi residents and civil society organizations are calling for independent inquiries by the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit.
Meanwhile, district service delivery remains clouded by tension between the Deputy RDC and the political leadership.
“Let us not interrupt ongoing investigations. The community will shortly prove the truth,” Kyoma concluded in his emotional appeal.
Efforts to get fresh comments from the Kumi District Chairperson, CAO, and the implicated technical officers were unsuccessful by press time.
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