The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Elections Tribunal has nullified the election of Collins Tanga as Chairperson of the NRM Youth League, ruling that the process was tainted by irregularities, unlawful exclusions, and a conflict of interest involving the party’s Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi.
The ruling followed three consolidated petitions filed by candidates Brenda Kiconco, Wilson Otto, and Mackline Natukwasa. They challenged the August 26–27, 2025 election held at Kololo Independence Grounds, alleging fraud, procedural violations, and bias.
Kiconco, who insisted she won the race with 1,355 votes against Tanga’s 1,167, accused the Commission of unlawfully inflating his tally by 400 votes.
She also questioned his eligibility, arguing he was above the 30-year statutory ceiling for youth leaders, and cited conflict of interest since his father presided over the election.
Otto complained of systemic malpractice, including participation of 292 ineligible councilors, exclusion of candidate agents, and chaotic night-time voting. Natukwasa said her name was unlawfully omitted, and that Dr. Odoi falsely announced her withdrawal in a meeting at State House, disenfranchising her supporters.
In its decision, the Tribunal upheld the party’s broader age limit of 18–35 years, meaning Tanga was validly nominated under NRM rules. However, it faulted the Commission for unlawfully excluding candidates, delaying the polls for 37 hours, and presiding over voting that stretched into the night.
Most significantly, the Tribunal found that Dr. Odoi’s decision to chair and declare results in his son’s contest created a serious conflict of interest. “These were not ceremonial acts. By announcing withdrawals, signing results forms, and declaring his son winner, the impartiality and credibility of the election were fatally compromised,” the Tribunal ruled.
It also dismissed Kiconco’s audio and video evidence of alleged tally manipulation as unauthenticated, affirming that only signed declaration forms constitute binding results.
The Tribunal concluded that the irregularities, particularly candidate exclusion, delayed polling, and conflict of interest, substantially affected the outcome.
In a ruling signed by tribunal chairperson John Musiime and panel members Diana Kasabiti and Esau Isingoma, the panel directed the NRM Electoral Commission to organize a fresh election in strict compliance with the party constitution, election regulations, and polling day guidelines.
The tribunal further barred Tanga Odio from presiding over or participating in any capacity in the new election. It also clarified that the commissioners of the NRM Electoral Commission will directly conduct the polls to ensure credibility and fairness in the process.
The ruling has now set the stage for a rerun of the hotly contested race that had sparked protests from delegates at Kololo and beyond.
