Oyam District Leaders Vow to Tackle Corruption

22 May 2026, 10:48 am

Oyam District’s newly sworn-in LC5 Chairperson, Nelson Adea, has pledged to fight corruption head-on within his first 100 days in Office.

By Eman Yona Oruk

Speaking after his swearing-in ceremony, Adea emphasized his determination to end the practice of job selling, which has tarnished Oyam’s reputation across the country. He called on district councilors from both the ruling party and opposition to unite in the fight against corruption, stressing that service delivery can only improve if leaders work together with one voice. 

District Speaker Easy Bash Machar, who secured 26 votes out of 37 casts to defeat Apali Ceasor, echoed Adea’s message. He urged stakeholders to put the interests of Oyam District above political differences, saying transformation can only be achieved through unity and prioritizing the needs of the people. 

Former Speaker Mommy Otyeno also weighed in, advising the new leadership to remain neutral and committed to fighting corruption. He encouraged councilors to embrace unity and support the Speaker and Chairperson in their efforts to restore integrity in the district. 

Patrick Ogwang Obura, Member of Parliament for Oyam South Constituency, likened corruption in the district to a sack of groundnuts full of holes, where resources leak away before reaching the people. He promised to fulfill his oversight role in the 12th Parliament by ensuring councilors remain accountable and committed to fighting corruption for the betterment of Oyam. 

Resident District Commissioner Sgt. Shilako James highlighted corruption and poor performance in national assessments as Oyam’s biggest challenges. He revealed that aspiring parish chiefs are often asked to pay up to 10 million shillings for positions, a practice so notorious that even boda boda riders recognize Oyam as a corrupt district. He challenged the new leadership to break this cycle. 

Chief Magistrate Benson Semonde added that corruption is not the only hurdle Oyam faces. He pointed to poverty, early marriages, and the district’s remoteness as pressing issues that require urgent attention. He urged leaders to confront these challenges alongside corruption to ensure meaningful development. 

The collective message from Oyam’s leaders was clear: corruption has crippled the district for too long, and unity among councilors, government officials, and stakeholders is the only way forward.