The raging feud between Kumi Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Mr. James Kyoma, and the district’s political wing has intensified, with Vice Chairperson Sam Akol issuing a blistering rebuttal to Kyoma’s recent corruption claims.
In a detailed statement titled “Responding to False Allegations by Deputy RDC Kumi”, Akol dismissed Kyoma’s accusations as fabrications, describing him as “a liar who thrives on blackmail and unlawful arrests.”
Kyoma had earlier accused district leaders of attempting to sell off public land in Kanyum Town Council, even claiming he rejected bribes and plots allegedly offered to him to stay silent.
But Akol countered the narrative, insisting he was among the first to defend the land.
“When rumors about the sale of government land emerged, I personally attended a council sitting in Kanyum on June 26, 2024. I advised against any irregular leasing and emphasized that procedures must be followed. My remarks are captured in the council minutes,” Akol said.
He rejected claims that he had offered Kyoma an envelope or land, stressing that he is neither a councilor nor a landowner in Kanyum.
Instead, he argued that he had advised Kyoma to investigate the matter cautiously, given that the issue was being politicized during NRM primaries.
Akol accused the Deputy RDC of poor teamwork and authoritarian tendencies.
“Kyoma has no culture of working with stakeholders. He is bossy, rushy, and authoritarian,” Akol charged.
He pointed to a June 19, 2025 meeting chaired by the Regional Internal Security Officer (RISO), where Kyoma allegedly failed to substantiate allegations he had made against the District Police Commander (DPC) and District Internal Security Officer (DISO).
“The meeting found that he, not the officers, had difficulties in work relations,” Akol said, also faulting Kyoma for demanding that CAO’s letters be copied to his office, something the CAO reportedly rejected.
Akol further accused the Deputy RDC of conducting arbitrary arrests to show power, citing the 2024 arrest of Parish Chief Itiakorit Edmond of Oladot during a baraza.
“The community was clear that the chief had no issue. The problem lay with some SACCO executive members, but Kyoma insisted on detaining him. Itiakorit spent two weeks in police cells, yet the DPP later found no case. This is only one of many arrests that have created fear among staff,” Akol said.
Akol also criticized Kyoma’s threats to teachers during the September nationwide strike organized by the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU).
“While we were persuading teachers to return to classrooms, Kyoma threatened to arrest them, threats that even the head of state had not made,” he said.
Responding to Kyoma’s claims about delayed water works, Akol said the Kanapa water project was not a district issue but a centrally awarded contract under the Local Economic Growth Program (LEGS).
“As a district, we kept writing letters about delays, but Kampala paid a deaf ear. Many districts are facing similar challenges with hybrid projects. Kyoma was accusing the wrong people. As RDC, he should have written to the IGG to investigate the central procurement process instead of arresting our technical staff,” Akol explained.
On the issue of Ramathan Road in Ongino Town Council, earmarked for low-cost sealing at UGX 900 million, Akol blamed delayed central government disbursements rather than local corruption.
“The project was spread across two financial years, but only partial funds were released, UGX 150 million instead of 350 million in 2022/23, and UGX 225 million instead of 550 million in 2023/24. Funds finally came in quarter four last year as UNRA reverted the road fund back to the Ministry of Works. Kyoma should report these central delays instead of blaming district leaders,” Akol argued.
He also highlighted logistical bottlenecks such as the lack of equipment, with a single excavator being shared across the Eastern region.
Akol cast doubt on Kyoma’s anti-corruption credentials, saying his methods are more about gaining publicity than genuine accountability.
“I am happy God is aware of Mr. Kyoma’s moral authority to fight corruption. That will be confirmed on judgment day,” Akol said pointedly.
He argued that Kyoma’s “unlawful arrests and teacher threats” were staged to impress the NRM Secretariat and attract a promotion.
“Unfortunately for him, the week those arrests made headlines, the President’s Office deployed a full RDC to Kumi, reverting Kyoma to deputy,” Akol said.
Akol accused Kyoma of blackmailing him over Kanyum land simply because he presented an executive report in council highlighting Kyoma’s alleged weaknesses.
“He forgets the report was a committee report, not mine as an individual. As vice chairperson, I am leader of government business in council. His attacks are misplaced,” Akol stated.
In conclusion, Akol suggested that Kyoma undergo re-tooling to improve his understanding of governance and leadership.
“I strongly believe the deputy RDC needs training on how to manage society. His current methods only divide and intimidate. For the sake of service delivery, we cannot afford such recklessness,” he said.
The ongoing public exchange has exposed simmering tensions between Kumi’s political wing and the office of the Deputy RDC, raising fears of further disruption to service delivery.
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