news 4 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Watmon Okidi: 40-Year Leader Transforming Kisima Island Community
Watmon Okidi, the long-serving Local Council I chairman of Kisima I Island in Jinja City, has led with humility and integrity since 1986, turning a remote fishing outpost into a peaceful community with schools and health services. Despite ongoing challenges like poor sanitation and water access, his selfless service has earned lasting respect from over 1,400 residents. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/watmon-okidi-chairman-who-helped-transform-kisima-island-over-40-years-5446254
A Humble Leader’s Enduring Impact
Watmon Okidi, soon turning 60, has chaired Kisima I Island’s Local Council I since 1986. Arriving as a fisherman in 1981, he helped build a stable community from a sparsely populated fishing spot on Lake Victoria, now home to diverse activities like farming, poultry, and trade.
Residents greet him warmly as he walks the island, calling out ‘Njebale’ or ‘pole mukuba.’ His NRM support bolsters his role, with locals pledging votes in upcoming elections for his fair administration and crime-free record.
Key Contributions to Services
In 1996, Okidi donated five acres for a government-aided primary school, including nursery up to P.7 and teachers’ quarters. He also provided land for Kisima Health Centre III, easing boat trips to the mainland for care.
Early settlers trusted him with land matters; he shared plots fairly among fishers, enabling family settlements. His philosophy—avoiding corruption, respecting privacy, and promoting vigilance—ensures peace.
Persistent Challenges
Headteacher Scovia Nabwire notes enrollment dips from illegal fishing, plus issues like no meals, cracked classrooms, and teacher housing shortages. Health Inspector Franco Mugweri highlights dire sanitation: cracked, full toilets and open defecation fuel waterborne diseases, worsened by scarce clean water.
Okidi hopes merging nearby islands into one parish will spur development. Community stories, like businesswoman Angela Bunya’s, praise his generosity in hosting families during tough times.
Despite hurdles, Okidi’s trust-based leadership has fostered progress and unity on Kisima I.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)