Hello

Your subscription is almost coming to an end. Don’t miss out on the great content on Nation.Africa

Ready to continue your informative journey with us?

Hello

Your premium access has ended, but the best of Nation.Africa is still within reach. Renew now to unlock exclusive stories and in-depth features.

Reclaim your full access. Click below to renew.

Tororo NRM leaders defy Tanga Odoi, swear in disputed women’s league chair

Members of the newly elected NRM Women’s League take their oaths of allegiance and secrecy in Tororo District. Photo/Joseph Omollo

What you need to know:

  • In a June 4 letter, Dr Tanga directed the district registrar to instead declare former Tororo North County MP, Annet Nyakecho, as the rightful winner, despite her receiving fewer votes than Okurut.

Newly elected NRM leaders in Tororo District have defied a directive from Dr Tanga Odoi nullifying the election of Jane Mukite Okurut as chairperson of the district women’s league.

In a show of solidarity, the leaders went ahead with the swearing-in ceremony of all new executives, including the disputed chairperson, insisting on upholding the integrity of the electoral process and the will of the voters in Tororo County.

In a June 4 letter, Dr Tanga directed the district registrar to instead declare former Tororo North County MP, Annet Nyakecho, as the rightful winner, despite her receiving fewer votes than Okurut.

Nyakecho, in her petition to the NRM Secretariat, claimed the election was marred by irregularities, including voter intimidation. She alleged that many of her supporters were chased away from polling stations, allowing non-eligible individuals to vote.

Dr Tanga supported the petition, stating: “The total number of eligible voters was 80, and Nyakecho secured 44 votes, leaving a balance of 36. Therefore, it was improper to declare someone with 65 votes the winner.”

However, during today’s swearing-in ceremony held at the district party offices and presided over by Grade One Magistrate Eleijah Iradukunda, party chairperson Mr Godfrey Othieno Otabong challenged the directive, describing it as a violation of natural justice.

“The election was free and fair. We cannot allow a legitimate victory to be overturned without giving the affected parties a chance to be heard,” Otabong said. He added that neither Mukite nor the district registrar had been notified or allowed to respond to the petition before the decision was made.

Otabong further criticized Dr Tanga’s “continued interference” in Tororo’s internal party affairs, accusing him of previously threatening to shut down the district office.

“Our duty is to build the party, not to be dragged backwards by external directives that undermine democracy,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tororo South County MP, Fredrick Angura, called for unity among the party leadership to ensure NRM remains strong both locally and nationally.

Stay updated by following our WhatsApp and Telegram channels;