By The Eye Media | Namutumba, 27 May 2025
A fresh wave of political tension has erupted in Namutumba District as National Resistance Movement (NRM) party members rejected a directive from the party’s Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi, to rerun elections for four key positions.
The disputed elections, originally scheduled to be rerun at Basoga Nsadu Memorial Technical Institute, were Tuesday May 27, 2025 instead engulfed in controversy after Commissioner James Tweheyo, dispatched by Dr. Tanga, was blocked by angry party members.
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Tensions Flare in Namutumba as NRM Members Reject Directive for Election Rerun
By The Eye Media | Namutumba, 27 May 2025
A fresh wave of political tension has erupted in Namutumba District as National Resistance Movement (NRM) party members rejected a directive from the party’s Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi, to rerun elections for four key positions.
The disputed elections, originally scheduled to be rerun at Basoga Nsadu Memorial Technical Institute, were Tuesday May 27, 2025 instead engulfed in controversy after Commissioner James Tweheyo, dispatched by Dr. Tanga, was blocked by angry party members. The members stormed the office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), protesting the planned rerun and insisting that the elections had been conducted transparently and peacefully.
At the center of the storm is Simon Menya, who was declared NRM District Chairperson after trouncing Hon. Mariam Naigaga, the sitting Woman MP, with 480 votes to her 108. Menya maintains he was validly elected and is ready to serve the party without fear or favor.
“The elections were free and fair. I followed the procedures, and the people spoke. I am committed to serving the NRM and uniting our district,” said Menya.
The situation prompted an emergency security and stakeholder meeting at the RDC’s office, chaired by RDC Fredrick Bangu, and attended by State Minister for Housing and Bukono MP Hon. Princess Persis Namuganza, Hon. Mariam Naigaga, Commissioner Tweheyo, Hon. Betty Nakisita, and other local leaders.
In a fiery address, Hon. Namuganza blasted Dr. Tanga Odoi for alleged bias, accusing him of ordering a rerun without hearing from all sides.
“Dr. Tanga made this decision unilaterally. He ignored the voices on the ground and chose to side with one camp. That is not how democracy in NRM should operate,” she charged.
RDC Fredrick Bangu also threw his weight behind the original election outcome, stating that the races for Chairperson, Secretary for Finance, and General Secretary were executed properly.
“We urge all residents to remain calm. The elections were peaceful, and the NRM Secretariat should be allowed to complete its review process,” said Bangu.
Despite the tense atmosphere, Commissioner James Tweheyo announced that both parties — Menya and Naigaga — will be summoned to Kampala for further deliberations. The commission will also review Naigaga’s petition and set new dates for filling the remaining contested positions: Vice Chairperson and Secretary for Publicity.
Meanwhile, Hon. Mariam Naigaga, whose side of the story remains largely unheard, had to be escorted by police patrol from the RDC’s office due to rising hostility from residents who accused her of attempting to destabilize party structures.
“She is dividing the party!” one angry NRM member shouted as police whisked Naigaga away from the scene.
As the dust settles, all eyes are now on the NRM Secretariat in Kampala, where the final ruling could either affirm the will of the people in Namutumba — or reignite political chaos in a district already on edge.
