Soroti Council Meeting Turns into a Kick Boxing Contest

Soroti Councillors Throw Punches Instead of Proposals in Latest Meeting
Debate sometimes resembles a wrestling match in Ugandan politics. This was the case at the Soroti district council meeting on October 9, 2024 which turned into a scene worthy of a local boxing match. The afternoon began with a discussion on financial woes that could have been addressed over a pot of Ajono but quickly escalated into a fistfight that would make any taekwondo fan proud.
The stage was set when Tubur district councillor Bob Owiny and Katine sub-county councillor Samuel Eyangu, who also wears the hat of finance secretary, clashed like two roosters in a backyard cockfight. Their quarrel stemmed from allegations that the district was losing money faster than a well spent night out in Kampala due to the negligence of technical officers. As tensions rose, Deputy Speaker Joshua Okello watched the chaos unfold, likely wondering if he should have brought a referee instead of a gavel.
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This was not the first time the two had engaged in verbal sparring. Owiny demanded that acting district engineer Alex Oriekot step aside to facilitate investigations into corruption claims.
Owiny’s accusations were serious; he alleged that Oriekot’s mishaps caused the district to lose a court case to the Adamasiko RJC company, which sought a staggering 240 million shillings in compensation. The court’s subsequent attachment of the district’s land housing the works department felt like the proverbial last nail in the coffin. However, Eyangu, seemingly unfazed, rejected Owiny’s call for Oriekot to step down, which only fueled the fire.
Owiny accused Eyangu and Oriekot of being thieves—an accusation as weighty as the presence of meat at a village wedding. Eyangu, clearly feeling provoked, stood up and threatened to teach Owiny a lesson in a way that would make even the most seasoned bouncers at a Kampala nightclub proud. It was at this moment that security personnel and fellow councillors sprang into action, attempting to separate the feuding councillors.
Aukot councillor Kokas Ajengu jumped into the fray to defend Eyangu. The result? A torn shirt and an even more chaotic meeting. It took more than five minutes for the council to regain its composure—long enough for anyone watching to wonder if they should start taking bets on who would throw the next punch.
This latest episode in Soroti district council highlights the ongoing tensions and frustrations in local governance, where shouting matches seem to have replaced civil discourse. One must wonder if they would be better off holding their meetings in a boxing ring rather than a council chamber as councillors trade blows instead of ideas.
Key Details
Information
Date
October 9, 2024
Councillors Involved
Bob Owiny, Samuel Eyangu, Alex Oriekot, Kokas Ajengu
Financial Claim
240 million shillings
Duration of Disruption
Over 5 minutes
Meeting Chaired By
Deputy Speaker Joshua Okello