A wave of tension has gripped the National Resistance Movement (NRM) following a petition demanding the immediate replacement of Dr. Tanga Odoi as the Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission.
The petition, presented by party supporter Jamil Kazibwe on behalf of a larger faction within the ruling party, has sparked concerns over the party’s preparedness ahead of crucial elections.
Addressed to NRM National Chairman, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and senior party leaders, including Secretary General Richard Todwong, the petition highlights Dr. Odoi’s alleged incompetence in managing electoral processes.
Kazibwe and his group, reportedly backed by influential party insiders, accuse Odoi of failing to provide strategic leadership—pointing to recent by-election losses as evidence of his shortcomings.
According to the petitioners, the Electoral Commission under Dr. Odoi’s leadership has been marred by disorganization, inefficiency, and a lack of vision, contributing to the party’s diminishing performance in key constituencies. The petition further warns that if the issues are not addressed swiftly, the NRM risks losing its political dominance in the 2026 general elections.
Growing Internal Division
The petition has exposed simmering tensions within the NRM leadership, with several senior party members privately expressing support for Kazibwe’s demands.
Sources indicate that dissatisfaction with Dr. Odoi’s leadership has been brewing for months, with party stakeholders reportedly frustrated by what they describe as his “failure to innovate and strengthen the party’s electoral machinery.”
“We cannot ignore the signs anymore. The NRM has lost ground in key areas, and this is partly due to poor organization during elections. Leadership at the Electoral Commission must be scrutinized,” a source close to the Central Executive Committee (CEC) revealed.
Tanga Odoi’s Precarious Position
Further complicating matters is the revelation that Dr. Tanga Odoi has been operating without a formal contract, leaving his position vulnerable to abrupt decisions from the top leadership. Analysts suggest that this administrative lapse could make it easier for the NRM leadership to replace him without extensive bureaucratic hurdles.
Implications for the NRM
With party primaries fast approaching, the timing of the petition has sparked panic among party loyalists who fear that internal conflicts could weaken the NRM’s electoral strategy. Some insiders warn that failure to resolve the leadership crisis at the Electoral Commission could embolden the opposition and frustrate grassroots mobilization efforts.
Kazibwe’s petition has also reignited broader calls for reforms within the NRM to address corruption, inefficiency, and lack of accountability in party institutions.
What Next?
As the NRM leadership considers the petition, all eyes remain on President Museveni and the Central Executive Committee to determine the next course of action. Will they heed Kazibwe’s calls and replace Dr. Tanga Odoi, or will they stand firm and defend the current leadership?
Efforts to reach Dr. Odoi for a comment were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report, but insiders suggest that he is aware of the growing discontent and may soon make a public statement.
The coming weeks will be critical for the NRM as it navigates this leadership crisis amidst rising political stakes. How the party handles this situation will not only shape its electoral strategy but could also influence its cohesion and public perception ahead of the next elections.
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