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“I’d Rather Lose Than Rig”: MP Didi, Condemns Violence as Kotido Primaries Turn Hostile
MP Lomwar speaking during a security meeting recently. ( photo credit: richard onapatum)
By Richard Onapatum | Kotido, Uganda – July 4, 2025
The political heat in Kotido Municipality has reached a boiling point as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries pit incumbent MP Ismail Mohammed Lomwar against former MP Moses Bildad Adome in a race now marred by violence, hate speech, and fear. But amid the chaos, Lomwar has emerged as a voice of restraint and principle.
“My Children Screamed”: MP’s Home Attacked
Lomwar’s residence was attacked late last week by unidentified individuals who hurled stones at his windows, terrifying his children and neighbors.
“The violence level cannot be measured,” Lomwar said. “My children screamed. My home—my sanctuary—was turned into a battlefield.”
A neighbor who witnessed the attack added:
“We heard the glass shatter. The children were crying. Everyone was afraid.”
Lomwar has since suspended all public campaigning in town, citing escalating threats and a toxic political climate.
“I’d Rather Lose Than Rig”
Despite the hostility, Lomwar remains defiant in his principles.
“I’d rather lose an election than rig one,” he declared. “Let the people decide freely. No seat is worth bloodshed.”
He accused rival camps of indoctrinating voters and agents, and called on security forces to monitor political hotspots and protect the integrity of the vote.
Hate Speech and Ethnic Targeting
Lomwar’s campaign has been marred by widespread defacement of his posters across Kotido. He believes the attacks are fueled by ethnic discrimination.
“They hate me because I am Somali,” he said. “But no African is a foreigner in Africa.”
Adome Responds: “Let’s Stop Behaving Like Babies”
Former MP Moses Bildad Adome, who is attempting a political comeback, also condemned the violence and called for restraint from both camps.
“Let’s stop behaving like babies who cause chaos and return home crying yet they are the ones in the wrong,” Adome said. “I am poor—I can’t do that. Maybe we need to talk to both our supporters, because even my posters have been torn.”
Adome recently lost the NRM District Chairperson race to Peter Lonya by just five votes and filed a petition citing irregularities, though it stalled due to procedural delays.
🛡️ Security Forces Respond
Kotido District Police Commander Hassan Sekalema confirmed that investigations into the attack on Lomwar’s home are ongoing. He warned:
“We will not tolerate any form of violence. Those responsible will face charges, regardless of political affiliation.”
RDC Charles Ichogor called for an emergency security meeting with all candidates to de-escalate tensions and restore order.
🕊️ A Call for Peace
Civil society groups, religious leaders, and elders in Kotido have echoed Lomwar’s call for calm, urging all candidates to sign a Peace Charter and commit to nonviolence ahead of the July 16 NRM primaries and the 2026 general elections.
As the race between Lomwar and Adome intensifies, the people of Kotido are watching closely—not just to see who wins, but to see whether peace, dignity, and democracy can prevail over fear and division.
