By James Alomu

The stage is set for an intense battle in Soroti City’s 2026 general election, with Counsel Edmond Elasu officially nominated to challenge Paul Omer for the mayoral seat. Elasu, a seasoned lawyer and former member of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), will now face Omer and others, Omer who was handed the party’s flag without contest after the FDC opted to skip primaries for the mayoral race.

Elasu’s nomination marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Soroti City. The decision to run as an independent candidate comes after Elasu’s discontent with FDC’s internal processes. Having been a member of FDC for over two decades, Elasu believes that the party’s decision to give Omer the flag without a fair primary election denied him the opportunity to compete on equal footing.

"My decision to run independently stems from a deep belief that I was denied the opportunity to compete fairly within the FDC," Elasu explained after his nomination. "I’ve been in the party for 20 years, not for fun, but because I saw a platform that could help me make meaningful contributions to the people of Soroti. Unfortunately, that opportunity was taken from me. I believe I can offer Soroti something different."

Elasu’s candidacy brings a fresh perspective to the 2026 general election. While he holds no personal animosity towards Omer, he insists that the people of Soroti deserve a choice. "People join political parties for different reasons, some because they believe in the party’s ideals, others for social or opportunistic reasons," he continued. "For me, FDC was the vehicle through which I thought I could make a difference. However, now I believe I must take my own path to offer Soroti the leadership it deserves."

Known for his legal background, Elasu is emphasizing a strong anticorruption message in his campaign. He has committed to fighting corruption and ensuring that public resources are used to benefit the people, particularly those in marginalized communities. "I am committed to transparency and accountability," he stated. "Soroti deserves leadership that serves all its citizens, especially the most vulnerable. I want to empower those who have been neglected by the political system."

Despite his split from the FDC, Elasu has made it clear that his focus is on Soroti’s future, not on partisan politics. "My decision to run as an independent candidate is not a rejection of the FDC’s values, but an attempt to create a broader political platform for change," Elasu explained. "I want to provide a leadership option that truly resonates with the aspirations of Soroti’s people."

The 2026 general election in Soroti City promises to be a high stakes contest, with the mayoral race at the forefront of political discussions. Elasu’s independent bid could shake up the dynamics in a city long dominated by traditional political structures.

As the general election approaches, Soroti’s voters will have the chance to choose candidates. While Omer represents the established political forces within FDC, Elasu offers a new vision, one that challenges the status quo and seeks to bring fresh leadership to the city.

In the coming months, both candidates will need to convince the people of Soroti that they have the vision, integrity, and ability to lead the city into the future. The 2026 general election is set to be a pivotal moment for Soroti, and all eyes will be on how the race unfolds in the lead up to Election Day.

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