NRM Youth Leader Collins Tanga Rejects Tribunal’s Election Nullification
Date: September 10, 2025
Location: Kampala, Uganda
In a dramatic turn of events, Collins Tanga, the embattled son of National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi, has publicly rejected the party tribunal’s decision to nullify his election as NRM Youth League chairperson. The tribunal had cited grave irregularities and a conflict of interest stemming from his father’s role in overseeing the poll, but Collins insists the ruling “was not based on facts” .
🏛️ Background of the Controversy
The NRM tribunal, chaired by John Musiime with members Diana Kasabiiti and Esau Isingoma, nullified Collins Tanga’s election on September 9, 2025, following petitions filed by defeated candidates Brenda Kiconco, Wilson Otto, and Mackline Natukwasa . The tribunal found that the election process was marred by:
· Tallying errors and unreliable records .
· Unlawful exclusion of candidates like Otto and Natukwasa .
· Conflict of interest due to Dr. Tanga Odoi’s role in presiding over an election involving his son .
The tribunal ordered a fresh election and explicitly barred Dr. Odoi from participating in or overseeing the rerun .
⚖️ Collins Tanga’s Defense
In his response, Collins Tanga argued that the tribunal’s decision overlooked key facts. He emphasized that his father, Dr. Tanga Odoi, did not directly participate in the voting, counting, or tallying processes. Instead, Dr. Odoi merely declared the results—a duty he performs for all party elections .
Collins further defended the legitimacy of his victory, stating, “I was lawfully nominated, duly elected, and properly declared” . He also addressed the age eligibility controversy, noting that the NRM Constitution defines youth as individuals aged 18–35, placing his 31-year-old status within acceptable limits .
🔍 Key Issues in the Dispute
- Conflict of Interest Allegations
The tribunal ruled that Dr. Odoi’s involvement created an actual situation of collusion, not merely a perception . However, Collins maintains that his father’s role was purely procedural and did not influence the outcome.
- Electoral Irregularities
Petitioners alleged that 400 votes were unlawfully added to Collins’s tally, inflating his final count to 1,567 votes against Brenda Kiconco’s 1,355 . While the tribunal found insufficient evidence of vote tampering, it acknowledged broader administrative failures .
- Procedural Flaws
The election was conducted after multiple postponements, culminating in a 4:00 a.m. voting session on August 27, which the tribunal said led to voter fatigue and confusion .
🗣️ Reactions and Implications
· Brenda Kiconco, the main petitioner, welcomed the tribunal’s decision, stating that it upheld the voices of marginalized youth .
· Dr. Tanga Odoi expressed confidence that his son would perform even better in a rerun, noting, “He might even garner more votes. Now that I am not supposed to be part of it, I can talk about it” .
· The ruling has broader implications for the NRM’s internal democracy, highlighting tensions between transparency and nepotism within the ruling party .
📅 What Comes Next?
The NRM Electoral Commission is expected to organize a fresh election for the Youth League chairperson position, overseen by commissioners other than Dr. Odoi . This rerun will be closely watched to determine whether the party can restore confidence in its electoral processes .
