NRM CEC’s trust in Dr. Tanga Odoi begins to dwindle  

NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi, has seen the wrath of his party’s topmost organ – the Central Executive Committee, which ordered him to step aside from the rescheduled youth and entrepreneur league elections.

The decision by CEC arises from how Dr. Tanga Odoi is believed to have influenced the NRM national youth chairperson elections in favour of his son, Collins Tanga Odoi, whose victory was later annulled by the party’s elections tribunal.

Similarly, Dr. Tanga was seen in a video that has gone viral, counting voters who had lined up behind one of the contestants for MP for the elderly Western Uganda, jumping from 50 to 80, then 141, 150, 160, 170, 180, 181 in what has been termed ‘Odoimatics.”

All these incidents, including complaints from senior NRM cadres such as Rebecca Kadaga, Sarah Opendi, Sanjay Tanna and many others, seem to be ricocheting on Odoi whom many now see as too incompetent to manage the party’s internal elections.

Addressing the NRM caucus in Jinja in 1996, President Museveni warned that he does not fight out of emotions but calculated moves, adding that those members with too much ego will be deflated like a tyre.

The current trimming of Dr. Tanga Odoi’s wings first by the NRM elections tribunal barring him from participating or conducting fresh elections for national NRM youth chairperson and now most recently by the NRM CEC that has also asked the over-zealous academic to step aside from the rescheduled youth and entrepreneurs’ elections, all point to President Museveni’s tactics.

The decision was taken during CEC’s 1st sitting of the 5th CEC, chaired by President Yoweri Museveni at State House Entebbe, on Saturday, September 13, 2025.

In a critical resolution, the sitting directed Dr. Tanga to step aside from managing the Youth elections as recommended by the NRM Elections Tribunal, handing the mandate of oversight for both the Youth and Entrepreneur elections to his deputy, Jachan Omach, and other Commissioners of the Electoral Commission.

The sidelining of Dr. Tanga Odoi marks a rare public rebuke of the long-serving NRM Electoral Commission boss, whose role has been questioned in several internal contests.

However, despite the CEC directive, reports emerging from the districts indicate that Dr. Tanga Odoi is still exerting influence on registrars despite the directive. Several youth leaders allege he is using his authority to pressure district election officials to align processes in favour of his son, Collins Tanga.

“We are aware that despite CEC’s resolution, Dr. Tanga Odoi is still instructing district registrars on how to handle the register and polling arrangements. This is unacceptable and undermines the very spirit of fairness that the Tribunal called for,” one disgruntled youth aspirant said.

The allegations have heightened suspicion within the party, with some members warning that, unless firmly checked, Dr. Odoi’s influence could compromise the credibility of the fresh polls.

For now, the September 18 elections will be a litmus test not just for the youth leadership, but for the party’s ability to uphold credibility in its own democratic processes

The Central Executive Committee (CEC) resolved that the suspended youth and entrepreneur elections will be held afresh on Thursday, September 18, 2025, this time at the district level.

The move follows weeks of turbulence in the party’s youth structures, marked by petitions and the nullification of results that had declared Collins Tanga, son of NRM electoral commission chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi, as NRM youth league chairperson.

The NRM CEC also resolved that the voter register will be released early to candidates to promote transparency, while election preparations will be coordinated with the police and other security agencies.

Other CEC resolutions

The NRM CEC also agreed to establish an ad hoc committee to examine remuneration for leaders at lower levels, to be chaired by Rt. Hon. Anita Among (2nd National Vice Chairperson, Female), alongside Secretary General Richard Todwong, Entrepreneurs League Chairperson, Al Hajji Hassan Basajjabalaba, Hon. Haruna Kasolo, Lt. (Rtd.) Mushabe Moses, Kobusingye Adrine, and Hon. Rose Namayanja. The Committee will report back in one month.

The meeting further emphasised a renewed focus on patriotism over careerism, and on interests rather than identity politics, with President Museveni emphasising the party’s role in guiding Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.