OUT NOW! Kumi Residents Demand Deputy RDC Kyomya’s Transfer

By Our Reporter | Kumi

Residents of Kumi district have vowed to push for the removal of Deputy Resident District Commissioner (D/RDC) James Kyomya, accusing him of misconduct, intimidation and corrupt interference in local affairs including plots against his new boss Mubito John Bosco.

According to local sources and a number of civic actors who spoke to this publication, Kyomya is not happy following a recent mini RDC’s reshuffle that saw Mubito transferred to Kumi.

The D/RDC Kyomya — who had reportedly hoped to be promoted to full RDC and retained at Kumi is now reportedly plotting against his new boss.

Together with some allies, he is alleged to be planning a demonstration against Mubito’s arrival.

“We are waiting to see their balls on Wednesday as they demonstrate against the new RDC. Instead we want Kyomya out of Kumi by all means,” a resident wrote in a message shared with this publication.

Allegations from Citizens and Officials

Residents claim the D/RDC has a history of political interference and misuse of office. Among the allegations circulating in the district are:

That the DRDC and the Kumi municipality mayor — who is also the ruling party (NRM) flag bearer — hatched plans to influence local politics and elections.

“The incumbent mayor used the RDC office last time to rig his way to the party flag, as was seen in the letter the D/RDC shared with the NRM tribunal claiming to have had free and fair election. This is the letter that the mayor carried to the tribunal,” says a local observer.

That the D/RDC also recently allegedly interfered with a police investigation linked to robberies of youth during an NRM Youth League election. He allegedly compromised the police file sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and creating “loopholes” that stalled prosecutions.

Sources say police arrested suspects who confessed to have been hired by an NRM chairperson. He has reportedly been summoned by police but is yet to report and an arrest warrant may soon be issued.

That the D/RDC has also allegedly threatened civil servants and teachers: one headteacher told this publication that they had never been threatened like this before and defended teachers’ constitutional right to strike over unfair treatment.

“I have never been threatened like this. It’s constitutionally right for us to strike against unfair treatment, not to be arrested.”

Charges of bribery and extortion: it is alleged that members of the Emyoga programme are required to pay up to 200,000 shillings to the RDC office before signing on the documents allowing access to funds.

This publication understands members of the district civil service have already petitioned higher authorities — including the presidency — over the D/RDC’s conduct but that little has changed.

Locals say the D/RDC should have been moved or transferred longtime ago because of similar complaints, but he is still in Kumi due to intense lobbying from powers that be.

District Administration on Edge

Multiple civic actors told this publication the district administration is fearful of reprisal and that the D/RDC has used security agencies to target staff and engineers on corruption allegations without producing clear evidence.

This, they say, has created a climate of fear that is disrupting local government work.

They have cited a recent incident where an acting assistant engineer was reportedly arrested on corruption allegations but later released with no charges sustained.

What They Want

Residents and civil servants have made clear demands: either the D/RDC be transferred out of Kumi, or he should be compelled to request his own transfer. They have also threatened public demonstrations to press these demands.

This publication sought to verify the allegations and to get comment from Deputy RDC Kyomya, the Kumi Municipality mayor, Kumi district police and the Office of the RDC. We will publish their responses when they are made available.

Legal and Ethical Note

The claims in this story are based on allegations and statements made by local residents and sources in Kumi. Where possible, this paper has reported them with attribution. Allegations of criminal conduct are yet to be proven in a court of law.