By [Eye Media Reporter]
Namutumba | Eye Media| May 27, 2025
Tempers are flaring in Namutumba District as newly elected National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders accuse the party’s Electoral Commission (EC) chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi, of orchestrating confusion and bias during the recently concluded party primaries.
The district’s top party brass—including all 14 sub-county chairpersons and various league representatives—have not only denounced Dr. Tanga’s conduct but have also issued a stern warning barring him from returning to the district, citing what they describe as “gross electoral misconduct” and a covert agenda to manipulate outcomes in favour of his political allies.
In a resolution circulated in local party WhatsApp groups and seen by this publication, the leaders allege that Dr. Tanga colluded with certain candidates to influence the internal elections, which they say were marred by chaos, poor communication, and outright fraud.
“We are not willing to participate in any re-run. The process was concluded, and the people of Namutumba made their decision,” said Mr. Simon Menya, the newly elected NRM district chairperson, who decisively defeated the incumbent Woman MP, Hon. Mariam Naigaga, garnering 489 votes to her 108.
Critically, the leaders expressed suspicion that Dr. Tanga’s continued interest in Namutumba is not rooted in party loyalty but personal ties. “We strongly suspect that Dr. Tanga is planning a return to Namutumba not in the interest of the party, but to assist his longtime friend, Hon. Naigaga Mariam, in overturning the democratic will of the people,” one of the district leaders told this reporter on condition of anonymity.
Mr. Charles Nabongho, another senior party figure, was blunt: “Let Dr. Tanga not become a tool for political losers. He should respect the structures of the party and not undermine us by sneaking in re-elections through the backdoor.”
The leadership called on the NRM secretariat to rein in Dr. Tanga, accusing him of sowing discord in multiple regions. They pointed to the chaos that engulfed the Entrepreneur League elections in Rubaga Division, Kampala, where he was also accused of mismanaging the process.
The developments in Namutumba, a district known for its NRM loyalty, reflect broader frustrations within the party over the handling of its internal democratic processes. With grassroots leaders increasingly vocal about perceived interference from above, the pressure is mounting on the NRM to reassess the role and accountability of its electoral commission.
Efforts to reach Dr. Tanga Odoi for comment were futile by press time.
