Kumi Power Clash! Deputy RDC Kyomya, District Vice Chair Akol Trade Explosive Corruption Blows

KUMI — Fire has broken out in Kumi District after Deputy Resident District Commissioner (DRDC) James Kyomya and District Vice Chairperson Sam Akol locked horns in a fierce public brawl — each accusing the other of corruption, bribery, and misuse of power!

For weeks, the two top district bosses have been washing each other’s dirty linen in public — from land grabbing in Kanyum Town Council, to arresting parish chiefs and intimidating teachers, to backroom deals on government roads and water projects.

And trust Red Pepper — we have all the juicy details!

Akol Explodes: “Kyomya Is a Liar and a Bully!”

District Vice Chair Sam Akol has fired heavy artillery at Kyomya, calling him “a liar who thrives on blackmail and drama.”

According to Akol, the DRDC falsely accused him of trying to bribe him with an envelope over the controversial Kanyum government land saga.

“It’s on record that I was among those defending that land, not selling it! I only advised council to follow the right procedures. How could I bring a bribe when I’m not even a councillor or landowner there?” Akol fumed.

He accused Kyomya of being “bossy, rushy, and authoritative” and said the DRDC’s working relationship with other security heads is “toxic.”

“He even wrote false reports against the DPC and DISO! The man loves showing off,” Akol added.

The Vice Chair didn’t stop there — he listed what he called Kyomya’s “illegal arrests” of civil servants, citing the detention of a parish chief, Edmond Itiakorit, and even threats to detain striking teachers in the ongoing UNATU nationwide strike that started last month.

“Imagine threatening to arrest teachers when even the President hadn’t done so! The man just wants headlines,” Akol blasted.

He went on to accuse the DRDC of mishandling major district projects like the Ongino Low-Cost Road and Kanapa Water Project, claiming he rushes into arrests without proper facts.

Akol concluded that Kyomya’s outbursts were meant to attract attention from the President’s Office and lobby for promotion after acting as caretaker RDC earlier in the year.

“Kyomya needs retooling. His methods are reckless. He arrests, intimidates, and blames others to look good before Kampala,” Akol charged.

Kyomya Strikes Back

But Kyomya isn’t taking the punches quietly. The fiery DRDC has come out swinging — saying he’s being persecuted for fighting corruption head-on.

“They are attacking me because I exposed rot in the district. I won’t bow to their dirty deals,” Kyomya said.

He revealed that his fallout with the district leadership started after he demanded accountability for the UGX 1 billion road fund for FY 2024/25, only to find shocking discrepancies.

“Roads that were marked ‘complete’ were half-done. Some didn’t exist! That’s why I ordered the arrest of the district engineer and his team,” he said.

Kyomya also doubled down on the Kanyum land scandal, claiming Akol personally tried to compromise him.

The Deputy RDC bragged that his anti-corruption war has cleaned up the Parish Development Model (PDM) program in Kumi.

“Those who stole from PDM beneficiaries have paid back every coin. I have their apology letters and cases already moving in State House Anti-Corruption Court,” he declared.

And about claims that he extorted money from politician Charles Olaboro, Kyomya dismissed it as “cheap political talk.”

“Let Olaboro prove it in court. I’m suing him,” Kyomya warned.

District Divided, President’s Office Silent

Insiders tell Red Pepper that the Kumi District Council is now split right down the middle. Some councillors side with Akol, accusing Kyomya of “power hunger,” while others praise the DRDC for “fighting real corruption where others fear to touch.”

There are attempts by the district executive to push for Kyomya’s transfer.

The Office of the President, which supervises RDCs, has yet to comment on the dramatic standoff — but word in the corridors is that Kampala is closely watching the fiery Kumi showdown.

 Verdict

One thing is clear — in Kumi District, politics has turned into a battlefield. As Kyomya and Akol trade blow for blow, locals are left wondering: who’s the real corruption fighter, and who’s the pretender hiding behind a megaphone?

Stay tuned — Red Pepper is digging deeper.