Rose Chila Namoe, the NRM candidate, has clinched the LC3 chairperson seat for Central Division in Kotido municipality, beating two familiar foes – a father-son duo.
Namoe’s victory marks a breakthrough for women in local politics, as she garnered 1952 votes, leaving John Bosco Lomele (Ind) with 932 votes and Alex Lokutan (Ind), Lomele’s son, with 217 votes.
Lokutan is not only a local artist but also the son of his opponent, John Bosco Lomele, making their electoral battle a family affair to remember.
Namoe, however, raised some of the challenges affecting her candidature for the leadership.
Namoe said that she had met several challenges in her political journey as a woman, as the opponents monetized the campaigns. She said that all her opponents were backed up by people who had resources, compared to her, who had just joined the contest after realizing the gaps in leadership.
Namoe also expressed concerns about the “pull-down” syndrome from fellow women who were not supporting her candidature, basing their decision on traditional norms that do not believe in women in leadership. She said that she had decided to break the barriers and ensure that women also take the lead.
Namoe encouraged more women to interest themselves in directly elected seats so that they can advocate for their grassroots issues.
Meanwhile, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) secured 16 out of the 19 sub-county positions. The remaining three positions were taken by independent candidates.
In a landslide victory, NRM candidates won overwhelmingly in various sub-counties and town councils. Ilukol Daniel, Nangoli Simon Peter, Adungo Moses, and Lokol Moses Apalokae secured unopposed wins in Panyangara sub-county, Lokwakial, Lokitalebeu town council, and Kamor, respectively.
In contested elections, Dominic Lokwang won in Kotido sub-county with 646 votes, defeating Kapel Daniel, who garnered 412 votes. Elijah Lokoribok Lobur emerged victorious in Rengen sub-county with 1552 votes, while John Paul Logira secured 786 votes.
Alex Daniel Kolia won in Kacheri town council with 1217 votes, followed by Longoli Mark, an independent candidate, who got 703 votes, and Aponoi Abraham Locheng of the Democratic Party (DP) with 155 votes.
Other NRM winners include Loiki Lopio in Kanair, Rogers Lochole in Loletio, Paul Calvin Moding in Kapeta sub-county, Paul Lomoru in Nakapelimoru sub-county, and Ibrahim Amin Loding in Napumpum.
Mark Locham secured a narrow victory in North Division with 1412 votes, while Andrew Teko Nakouchuit won in West Division with 1627 votes. Andrew Ariang emerged victorious in the South Division with 724 votes.
The three independent candidates who won include Simon Peter Lokong, who secured 611 votes in Kacheri sub-county, beating NRM’s Ngorok Hellen; Paul Adia, who won in Maarru sub-county with 1278 votes; and Raphael Abunga, who emerged victorious in Longaroe sub-county with 1394 votes.
The NRM’s dominant performance in the LC3 elections in Kotido district is seen as a significant victory for the party, which has been working to strengthen its presence in the region.
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