Kumi County Parliamentary hopeful Opio Solomon has lauded the recent visit of the Iteso cultural leader (Emorimor) to Tisai Island, describing it as a historic moment for a community that has long felt neglected by both cultural and government leadership.
Opio, who is seeking to unseat the incumbent MP also Minister for Energy Syndorious Okaasai Opolot in the 2026 general elections, expressed his deep appreciation for the Emorimor’s decision to prioritize cultural revival and community engagement in remote areas like Tisai Island.
The Emorimor’s tour, which included a cultural dialogue with elders and community leaders, was aimed at uniting the Iteso people and strengthening cultural identity across the region.
“Emorimor’s visit to Tisai marks a new beginning. This is a historic moment for the island that has suffered from the effects of past conflicts in Teso. It shows our culture is being recognized, and our development can now take shape,” Opio said.
Tisai Island, is one of the most remote and underserved areas in Kumi District.
According to Opio, the island faces major infrastructure and service delivery challenges that have kept its residents on the margins of development.
Opio pointed out the dire lack of health services on the island, noting that the absence of a health facility continues to expose the lives of many to unnecessary risk.
“Our mothers, children, and the elderly are forced to travel by boat to the mainland to access the nearest health center. Some do not make it. This is unacceptable in this day and age. A health facility is not a luxury, it is a basic right,” Opio stressed.
He further highlighted the education crisis in the area, lamenting that Tisai has only one community-founded primary school, which remains uncoded by the government and therefore receives no formal support.
The absence of a secondary school, he said, is contributing to high school dropout rates and early marriages among girls.
“Our children deserve better. How can we speak of equal opportunity when our youth must walk long distances or cross dangerous waters just to get a basic education?” he asked.
Opio called upon the Emorimor to continue using his platform to lobby the government for critical infrastructure and services on the island.
In particular, he appealed for the coding of Tisai Island Community Primary School and the construction of a government-funded health facility.
“We have seen too many false promises. The unemployment situation is dire, and our youth are left behind. But I believe Emorimor’s visit can shape the future of Tisai if he continues to prioritize our needs. He can lobby for the people,” Opio added.
Beyond praising the cultural visit, Opio used the occasion to formally launch his parliamentary bid, asking residents of Kumi County to rally behind his campaign for change.
“Let us elect a leader who speaks for the people and represents their voices in Parliament, not those who only serve their own interests. We need a leadership that feels the pain of the ordinary person and stands with the vulnerable,” Opio emphasized.
His message was met with enthusiasm from several local leaders and community members, who described him as a proactive and development-minded individual who has already made efforts to engage with grassroots communities.
The Emorimor’s visit has been widely interpreted as a symbolic and strategic effort to restore unity and inclusiveness within the Iteso cultural institution, which has for years faced internal divisions and questions about relevance in contemporary society.
As political campaigns intensify ahead of the 2026 elections, Opio’s alignment with the cultural institution and his commitment to underserved communities like Tisai could strengthen his appeal to voters seeking a new direction in Kumi County leadership.
If elected, Opio says he will prioritize rural development, education access, youth empowerment, and health infrastructure, especially for isolated areas like Tisai Island.
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