New Kalaki district leaders told to put people before politics

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Kalaki district leaders have been sworn in with a call to prioritise voters’ interests and improve service delivery.

The LC5 chairperson of Kalaki district, Moses Oriada, was sworn in on May 20, 2026, at the Kalaki district main grounds, where the district speaker and deputy speaker were also elected.

The chief magistrate of Kaberamaido Chief Magistrate’s Court, Patricia Ndagire, presided over the swearing-in of councillors and the election of the district council speaker.

Election officials counting the votes during the the voting process for the district speaker of Kalaki. (Photo by Michael Onyinge)

The mood among councillors and their supporters was jubilant, with many expressing excitement through smiles and celebrations. Some councillors attended the ceremony accompanied by their spouses, parents and siblings.

During the election of the speaker, two candidates, Charles David Enepu and David Patrick Okello, contested after being duly nominated.

In the end, Enepu emerged victorious after securing 17 votes against Okello’s 11 votes.

While delivering his remarks after assuming office, Oriada said he was ready to work with everyone to move Kalaki forward.

He also warned against the misuse of public funds meant for service delivery.

Oriada told civil servants that their responsibility was to ensure services reach the people.

"My office is a public office. Do not come to it with matters related to tribalism or talking ill of others. Come with proposals that can cause development to our people and the district,” Oriada said.

Meanwhile, Enepu said the time for politics was over, and leaders should now focus on development.

He said Kalaki district was greater than individuals and that the challenges facing the district required unity from all stakeholders.

He added that transparency would always be necessary in everything done to serve the people.

The Member of Parliament for Kaberamaido, Clement Kenneth Ongalo Obote, told the council and members of the public that Kalaki district was seven years old after being carved out of Kaberamaido district in 2019.

He said this was the right moment for Kalaki to make a fresh start and move forward.

Ongalo said leaders must remain accountable to the people through transparency.

The chief administrative officer of Kalaki, Francho Olaboro, welcomed the new leaders and pledged to work with them to improve service delivery.

Olaboro said that although he had recently been transferred to Kalaki, he was familiar with the area because he had previously served as the town clerk of Kaberamaido before Kalaki was carved out.

During the same function, Oriada also appointed members of the district executive as follows:

Monica Ipega from Apapai sub-county was appointed secretary for health and education.

Edmond Ochan from Ogwolo sub-county was appointed Secretary for Finance, Planning and Administration.

Charles David Enepu being sworn in after being elected the district speaker. (Photo by Michael Onyinge)

Isaiah Esingu from Kalaki subcounty was appointed secretary for works and technical services, while Christine Areo from Ochelakur was appointed district vice chairperson.

Voters speak out

Grace Apio, a resident of Kamidakan in Apapai subcounty, said it was a positive moment for the community to witness the new leaders assume office.

She said the leaders had a responsibility to address issues that had not been properly handled in the past.

Apio said she was praying for the leaders and asking God to guide them.

On service delivery, Apio said communities were still struggling with access to water.

“I want the current leadership to consider having water sources for poor people and not the rich. It is not good to have water sources taken to already rich people, yet communities are suffering,” Apio said.

Apio also said the sectors of education, health and road infrastructure needed urgent attention from the new leadership.

Meanwhile, Michael Epiu, who travelled from Ogwolo to witness the swearing-in ceremony, said he wanted the new leadership to improve roads in the district.

“The roads are in poor condition. Let something be done to make them better,” Epiu cried out.

He added that drug stock-outs in health facilities remained a major challenge that leaders needed to address urgently.

“If drugs are available and people are healthy, they are able to do other things on their own,” he added.