By James Alomu

Vincent Enomu, the independent candidate for Local Council Five in Soroti District, has officially been nominated to compete in the 2026 general elections, where he will face off with Bob Owiny, the candidate for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party. Enomu, who has chosen a chair as his election symbol, is determined to offer an alternative to what he describes as "irregularities" in the NRM primary elections.

Enomu, who initially contested in the NRM primaries, expressed his disappointment in the process, claiming that it was marred by vote rigging and manipulation. He cited these irregularities as the main reason behind his decision to run as an independent candidate, emphasizing that the primary elections failed to reflect the true will of the people.

Speaking to  the press after his nomination, Enomu urged the voters to "forget what happened in the primaries." He likened the NRM primaries to a "mock examination," which, according to him, was a far cry from the legitimate general election, which he described as the  "Uganda National Examinations Board" for the people. He elaborated that while the primaries were chaotic, the general election will be a serious, fair contest in which the real choices for Soroti's future will be made.

"Think of the recent primaries as a mock exam, and now we are preparing for the UNEB exam, where the real test begins," Enomu said. "This is the election where we will make decisions that truly matter. In the primaries, there was a lot of playing around with people's futures. This time, it will be different."

Enomu also addressed the issue of election rigging, stating that those who engage in fraudulent practices should not be trusted with the responsibility of governing. "Anyone who rigs an election cannot be trusted with the affairs of this district. If they are willing to manipulate the votes, they could easily misuse district resources and steal from the people," Enomu warned.

As he officially launched his candidacy, Enomu called on the people of Soroti to unite for the betterment of the district. He stressed the importance of electing leaders who are committed to the genuine development of the community, rather than those who only seek power for personal gain.

"I am here to promise you that I will work hard to make Soroti a better place for all of us," he said. "Together, we can build a city that is not only prosperous but also a place where our children and grandchildren can thrive. Let's save Soroti from those who treat elections as a joke."

Enomu’s candidacy is gaining momentum as he receives support from various sectors of the community who share his vision of a corruption-free, development-focused Soroti. The 2026 general election is expected to be highly competitive, with Enomu promising to run a vigorous campaign that will focus on transparency, accountability, and sustainable development for the city and its residents.