A storm is brewing within the National Resistance Movement (NRM) as growing discontent surrounds Dr. Tanga Odoi, the Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission.
A petition led by party supporter Jamil Kazibwe, backed by influential NRM insiders, has sent shockwaves through the party, demanding Dr. Odoi’s immediate replacement over allegations of incompetence and mismanagement.
Addressed to NRM National Chairman, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and other top leaders, including Secretary General Richard Todwong, the petition accuses Dr. Odoi of failing to steer the party’s electoral processes effectively. The petitioners cite recent by-election losses as glaring evidence of his alleged inability to provide strategic leadership, sparking fears that the party may face further setbacks in the upcoming general elections.
Mounting Pressure
Kazibwe’s group highlights a series of failures under Dr. Odoi’s leadership, which they argue have eroded confidence in the party’s electoral machinery.
Key NRM stakeholders have reportedly joined the calls for his removal, citing a “lack of direction and innovation” as factors behind the party’s recent underperformance.
“The NRM is losing ground due to disorganized election management. If this is not fixed, we risk major losses in 2026,” a senior party insider revealed.
The petition has amplified growing frustrations among party loyalists, many of whom blame the current Electoral Commission for failing to adapt to evolving political challenges.
Tanga Odoi’s Vulnerability
Adding to the pressure is the revelation that Dr. Tanga Odoi has been operating without a formal contract, a situation that makes his position precarious. Analysts suggest this administrative oversight could make it easier for the party leadership to act swiftly on the petition without legal hurdles.
“Dr. Odoi is vulnerable now, and the party leadership knows it. With the primaries approaching, they may decide to act quickly to save the party’s image,” a source close to the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) disclosed.
Implications for NRM
The timing of the petition has thrown the NRM into turmoil as party primaries loom. Internal divisions, if not resolved, could weaken grassroots mobilization and embolden the opposition. Some analysts warn that the crisis highlights a broader need for reforms within the party’s electoral processes.
Leadership on the Spot
The petition, now under consideration by the NRM leadership, places immense pressure on President Museveni and the Central Executive Committee to take decisive action. How they respond could determine whether the NRM stabilizes or faces further internal fractures.
Efforts to obtain a comment from Dr. Tanga Odoi were unsuccessful by press time, but sources suggest he is aware of the mounting pressure and may soon respond to the allegations.
How the leadership addresses the crisis will not only impact the upcoming primaries but also shape the party’s prospects in the 2026 general elections.
This is a developing story…