Echodu rally sparks tensions as Mukula defends position in NRM Eastern race
Mr David Calvin Echodu (with yellow tie) is ushered into Soroti City Sports Ground on May 10, 2025. PHOTO/SIMON PETER
EMWAMU
What you need to know:
- Social media battles, smear campaigns, and heated rallies are exposing fault lines within the NRM in Teso sub-region.
- "Personally, I employ 3,000 workers in my various companies; this number is more than government workers in all the districts in Teso," Mukula
The battle for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Central Executive Committee (CEC) Eastern region seat is intensifying, with incumbent Vice Chairperson, Capt. Mike Mukula, urging for "political hygiene" in the party's internal processes.
Mukula's call came a day after his challenger, David Calvin Echodu, staged a massive rally at Soroti Sports Ground on Saturday. Branded as the "Calvin Echodu Home Coming," the event attracted large crowds and was graced by several high-profile figures, including Presidential Advisor and NRM Soroti chairperson Charles Elasu, NRM mobiliser in Teso, Teddy Acam, Paramount Chief of Kumam, Won Ateker Rafael Otaya, Augustine Otuko, the Private Secretary to the President in charge of political affairs, and Ambassador Nelson Ocheger.
During the rally, Echodu, a 52-year-old US-based Ugandan and founder of the charity organization Pilgrim Africa, described Mukula’s leadership as an "era of lies," sparking controversy within the party. Echodu hails from Tubur, Soroti district.
Mukula, however, remains undeterred by such characterizations. In addition to Echodu, he faces competition from State Minister for Defence Jacob Oboth Oboth and Musa Lumumba.
In a calm yet firm response on Sunday, Mukula dismissed the negative portrayal, noting that his detractors, especially within his home region of Teso, cannot erase his contributions to peace and development.
"We must dispense political hygiene when we want development in our region. Besides, divided hunters can not kill an animal, we must unite as Teso," Mukula stated, carefully controlling his emotions.
Mukula underscored his pivotal role in fostering regional peace, recounting how he moved a motion in the 6th Parliament for the disarmament of the Karimojong, an initiative that he says brought lasting peace to Teso, Lango, Acholi, and Sebei.
"It's me who moved a motion in the 6th Parliament for government to disarm the Karimojong. The disarmament of the Karimojong has left lasting peace in Teso, Lango, Acholi, and Sebei, but someone stands to say Mukula has done nothing," he said.
He also recalled his efforts alongside his brother, Musa Ecweru, during the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency, where they organized local defense units to protect the region.
"I asked government for guns and mobilized our boys to protect the region from the fearful incursion of Kony, but someone says Mukula has done nothing," he added.
Mukula further highlighted his role in the rehabilitation and expansion of Soroti Regional Hospital, securing mental health and ophthalmology facilities, and lobbying for infrastructure projects like the Soroti-Moroto road and the Kumi-Serere-Kagwara road, which is due for construction.
He also stressed his contributions as an employer in the region.
"Personally, I employ 3,000 workers in my various companies; this number is more than government workers in all the districts in Teso," Mukula asserted.
Amid the escalating contest, Mukula called for a more mature and united political environment.
"If we want to attract development, we must dispense political hygiene," he advised, stressing the need for respectful engagements among political players.
"I want to assure my brothers and sisters that in this demographic dispensation, I welcome everyone to the race, but let's do politics in peace. As Teso, we cannot go hunting when divided; the animal shall escape. Let's unite," he appealed.
He also used the opportunity to clarify the mandate of the NRM CEC position, criticizing opponents for misleading the public on the scope of the seat.
"CEC position does not offer legislation or directly implement programs; it's more of an ideology think-tank for the party," Mukula explained.
The contest has already exposed deep fissures within the NRM in the Teso sub-region, with visible camps forming around Mukula and Echodu. Social media platforms have become battlegrounds for smear campaigns and insults, as desperate political brokers seek to draw attention and curry favor from the candidates.
The election is scheduled for August 22, 2025. Beyond determining the Eastern region's NRM leadership, the poll is seen as a test of the party’s ability to uphold internal democracy and foster clean politics.
As the race heats up, Mukula's calls for unity and political decorum remain a critical reminder of the need for peaceful engagement in the pursuit of leadership.
