Busia governor hopeful Vincent Sidai has alleged that UDA may be leaning towards backing Governor Paul Otuoma in the 2027 race.
This, he said, potentially sidelines other aspirants in a reported political arrangement he says is already shaping the contest.
Sidai (who is yet to declare his party) claimed that Arthur Osiya, an administrative officer in the Executive Office of the President who is also eyeing the seat on a UDA ticket, risks being disadvantaged if the alleged political alignment plays out.
His remarks add to growing political speculation that Governor Otuoma could be the preferred candidate under the emerging “broad-based government” understanding between UDA and ODM.
Sidai said there has been an informal political understanding between President Ruto and the Raila Odinga that could see the two parties avoid fielding rival candidates in some areas, effectively backing a single candidate in key races.
He said recent political events, including Ruto’s visits to Busia and statements from ODM’s National Delegates Conference, appear to point towards Otuoma as the beneficiary of that arrangement.
“Wherever the President goes, Otuoma is beside him. These people have already decided who their candidate is. Let me face him directly at the poll,” Sidai said.
Sidai, who contested the Busia governor seat in 2013 and lost to former governor Sospeter Ojaamong, spoke during the burial of Imelda Nafula in Amagoro, Teso North.
However, Busia county UDA secretary Stephen Buluma dismissed claims of any zoning or pre-election arrangements, saying the party has not agreed to field or withdraw candidates in any race.
Buluma described the push for zoning as undemocratic and said it would deny residents the right to choose their leaders freely.
He added that UDA had already received applications from aspirants seeking various elective seats in the county, noting that the party’s support in the region had grown significantly since the last election.
Sidai also rejected calls from some leaders suggesting a compromise candidate from the Teso community to face Otuoma, saying Busia voters are not influenced by tribal considerations.
He pointed to the 2022 election, arguing that voters made choices based on leadership rather than ethnicity.
“In 2022, three people contested for governor—one Teso and two Luhyas. If Busia was tribal, why didn’t Daniel Mogoria win? You voted for Otuoma to confirm that we are not tribal,” he said.
During the same event, Bishop Pius Idewa of Maranatha Church in Amagoro urged leaders and young people to avoid rising political hostility and maintain respect for leadership.
He warned against insults and division during public discourse, calling for unity and moral responsibility among leaders and citizens.
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