Soroti | The race for the NRM National Vice Chairperson, Eastern Uganda, has just heated up with the announcement of Soroti City philanthropist David Calvin Echodu.
Echodu announced his intentions on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at the Protea Hotel in Kampala City, saying the people of Eastern Uganda deserve new leadership that prioritizes their needs.
“I am ready to bring new energy to the Party and ensure that the region gets better representation at the national level,” Echodu said.
The Wednesday announcement sets the arena for a clash of giants. A month ago, incumbent Mike Mukula declared he is ready to retain his seat. Tororo’s Sanjay Tana, too, is most likely to enter into the fray although he has so far kept his cards close to his chest.
All the above are heavily loaded individuals with the passion to serve the NRM party.
Echodu took Soroti City West by storm when he contested for the NRM flag in the last general elections, with many City voters referring to him as “Mr. Dollar.”
Who is Echodu?
He’s a renowned economist who has worked abroad for many years and is seen as a man with a large heart by Soroti City residents.
He is the NRM flag bearer for Soroti West MP, CEO of Pilgrim Africa, credible politician, critical thinker who works with communities for social and economic empowerment.
Echodu is a businessman and a social entrepreneur with over 20 years of progressive visionary leadership experience.
Married with two children, Calvin is a lecturer with interests in economics and has a background in Media and an MBA from University of Seattle, US.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to service delivery and unity, citing NRM principles and emphasizing the importance of inclusive leadership, and promised to collaborate with people to drive regional development and progress.
His arrival, however, raises concerns among party members, who believe it signals a growing schism within the party, particularly given that Echodu and Mukula are all from Soroti City.
“Could it be that there is something Mukula did or failed to do to help Echodu win the Parliamentary Seat in 2021 being the NRM flag bearer?” Wondered a senior party member.
Teddy Acham, NRM mobilizer for the Teso sub-region, attended the declaration on Wednesday, as did Uganda’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Nelson Ocheger.
Echodu urged a shift in mindset toward the economy in one of the many engagements he has had with voters in Soroti City, emphasizing the importance of understanding what determines capacity and the need for leaders who can build people before expecting positive results.
He emphasized the importance of changing the environment in order to change the community’s value and advocated for leaders who understand the complexities of the economy and prioritize human development.
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