SOROTI, Uganda — As Uganda’s districts continue shaping their political leadership ahead of the 2026–2031 term, the race for the Speakership of Soroti City East Council is already gathering momentum, with campaign visibility and internal lobbying intensifying across the city.
The contest has attracted three contenders, all from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), setting the stage for a highly competitive battle that is expected to test party loyalty, ward influence, and leadership vision.
The Speakership seat was previously held by Ramathan Bogere, an NRM leader who represented Kengere Ward and became well known for his active participation in council debates during the last term.
However, Bogere’s political journey suffered a setback after he lost his council seat to a Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) challenger in the recent elections, leaving the Speakership position vacant and open to fresh competition.
The race now features John Baptist Emukoki of Aloet Ward, Daniel Collins Ocom, the Youth Councilor for Soroti City East, and Kirya Ashiraf Mula of Central Ward.
Among the contenders, Emukoki’s name has increasingly dominated political conversations across Soroti City East, with his campaign visibility reportedly spreading widely across the city. His message has largely focused on unity, inclusiveness, and equitable service delivery.
Speaking about his leadership vision, Emukoki emphasized the need for the council to move beyond personal rivalries and factional politics in order to effectively serve residents. He proposed a development-oriented leadership approach centered on collaboration, arguing that resources within approved council budgets should be distributed fairly across all thirteen wards.
Soroti City East Council remains heavily dominated by the NRM. Out of the twenty-nine elected councilors, twenty-four are considered strong NRM loyalists, while the opposition FDC holds three seats and independents occupy two.
Although the ruling party enjoys a clear numerical advantage, political analysts believe the Speakership race may still depend on internal consensus-building among NRM councilors rather than party numbers alone.
Emukoki, who describes himself as a committed NRM cadre, has openly appealed to fellow councilors to support his bid, promising what he calls inclusive, legitimate, and non-segregative leadership. According to him, the council should operate in a manner that ensures every ward feels represented regardless of political affiliation or personal connections.
With nominations and internal consultations expected to intensify in the coming weeks, the race is increasingly shaping up as more than just a contest for a title. Observers say the outcome could determine who is best positioned to unite the council and respond to the everyday needs and development concerns of residents in Soroti City East.
