NRM Tribunal Nullifies Collins Tanga’s Election As Youth League Chair, Orders Fresh Poll

By Frank Kamuntu

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Elections Disputes Tribunal has annulled the election of Collins Tanga, son of the party’s Electoral Commission chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi, as Chairperson of the NRM Youth League, citing gross irregularities and conflict of interest.

In a landmark ruling delivered on Monday, September 8, 2025, the tribunal found that the polls held at Kololo Independence Grounds on August 26–27 were riddled with tallying errors, unreliable records, and breaches of party electoral regulations.

The tribunal, chaired by John Musiime with members Diana Kasabiti and Esau Isingoma, consolidated three petitions from Brenda Kiconco, Wilson Otto, and Mackline Natukwasa. Petitioners alleged that Collins’ victory was engineered through inflated tallies and the direct involvement of his father, Dr. Odoi, in presiding over the election.

Kiconco, who came second, claimed she had scored 1,355 votes against Tanga’s 1,167, only to see 400 votes “mysteriously” added to her rival’s tally. The panel agreed that the conduct of the elder Odoi fatally compromised the election’s impartiality.

“The evidence shows that [Dr. Odoi] chaired proceedings, controlled the microphone, announced withdrawals, and ultimately declared the results in favor of his son. These are not ceremonial acts; they constitute presiding over the election. As father of one of the contestants, he could not, in appearance or fact, exercise impartiality,” the ruling stated.

Other irregularities noted included repeated delays, night-time voting, and the exclusion of some candidates. “Taken cumulatively, these irregularities clearly and substantially affected the result,” the tribunal emphasized.

While the panel stopped short of declaring Kiconco the winner, it directed the NRM Electoral Commission to organize a fresh election in full compliance with party regulations. Crucially, Dr. Odoi has been barred from presiding over or participating in the rerun.

“The declaration of Mr. Collins Tanga as Chairperson, NRM Youth League, is hereby nullified,” the ruling read. “The NRM Electoral Commission shall conduct a fresh election for Chairperson of the Youth League, without the involvement of Dr. Tanga Odoi.”

Collins Tanga had earlier been declared winner with 1,567 votes against Kiconco’s 1,355, in results announced by his father on August 27. The nullification is a major blow to the ruling party’s internal leadership, raising questions over transparency and credibility in its electoral processes.

Analysts note that sidelining Dr. Odoi from the fresh election is an extraordinary step aimed at restoring confidence among stakeholders and insulating the rerun from further allegations of bias.

The NRM Youth League leadership race is widely viewed as critical in shaping the party’s future mobilization and succession politics. The repeat poll is expected to attract intense scrutiny from both within the party and the wider public.