A fresh political storm is gathering in Soroti City East Division as Rodney Mukula, son of veteran Teso politician Captain Mike Mukula, officially declared his bid to represent the division in Parliament.
His announcement comes amid renewed political shifts and lingering questions over the fairness of the previous by-election that dramatically changed Soroti’s political landscape.
Rodney, a lawyer and media professional, announced his candidature in a press statement that combined gratitude, conviction and a call for generational renewal.
He will contest as an independent candidate, positioning himself as a voice for inclusion, service and accountable leadership.
“Many people have come out to say that I am a project and that I have been sent by Muzeyi, but that’s not true. I am a gentleman of sound mind with a legal background and the right to serve my people,” Mukula said.
“This election is not about me. It is about bringing all of us together for one cause; to change the lives of our people.”
His three-pillar manifesto: economic empowerment, social service delivery, and good governance highlights issues such as poverty, unemployment and failing health services in Soroti East.
He cites his personal efforts in repairing boreholes and supporting community development as a sign of his commitment to tangible results.
Soroti East has in recent years been a political hotspot. Former Member of Parliament Moses Attan (FDC) was controversially removed from office following a court ruling that nullified his 2021 election victory over boundary irregularities between Soroti East and Soroti West Divisions.
That ruling triggered a by-election which saw Herbert Edmund Ariko of the NRM declared winner amid widespread allegations of voter transfer manipulation and intimidation, a decision that divided the electorate and left lasting political wounds in Teso’s urban hub.
Now, sensing potential defeat in the coming 2026 general elections, Ariko shifted his ambitions to Gweri County, leaving the Soroti East seat wide open and setting the stage for a fierce contest between the returning Attan and the newcomer, Rodney Mukula.
The political question on everyone’s lips is whether Rodney Mukula, despite his youth and family name, can overcome Moses Attan’s enduring grassroots appeal. Many in Soroti East still believe Attan was unfairly removed from Parliament over issues that were not of his making.
“Attan’s removal was not about votes but boundaries. People felt robbed of their will,” says a political observer in Soroti City. “Rodney enters this race with promise but he is stepping into an emotional battlefield.”
Unlike his father, a senior NRM stalwart, Rodney has chosen to contest as an independent candidate, a move he says reflects his belief in meritocracy over political patronage.
“There is nothing wrong with parties,” he said. “But the constitution gives me the right to serve and represent our people without bias. Leadership is a time to serve all.”
He also emphasized his respect for the media and the need for a fair campaign environment:
“To the media fraternity, you drive the narrative. Let us avoid propaganda and maintain fairness. This is not a contest to fight; it is an offer to serve.”
As the 2026 elections approach, Soroti East finds itself at a crossroads torn between the nostalgia of an unfairly ousted MP, the retreat of a controversial incumbent, and the arrival of a new generation hopeful with a powerful political surname.
Whether Rodney Mukula’s message of unity and service can resonate deeply enough to unseat Moses Attan, or whether Attan’s redemption story will reclaim the hearts of the electorate, remains to be seen.
What is certain, however, is that the Soroti East parliamentary race will be one of the most watched and most symbolic contests in the Teso sub-region.
