Over 400 North Bukedi delegates back Echodu’s bid for NRM Eastern Vice Chair

Soroti City, Uganda: Soroti City West NRM flag bearer Calvin David Echodu, who was elected unopposed on Saturday, met over 400 party delegates from Budaka, Pallisa, Kibuku, and Butebo districts as he intensified his bid to become the Eastern Region NRM Vice Chairperson.

The joint consultative meeting, held at Kyoga Hotel Gardens, was attended by senior party leaders, including Ambassador Nelson Ocheger, the national chairperson of Echodu’s coordinating team, who rallied delegates to back Echodu, describing him as a loyal and grassroots-driven leader.

Ocheger reminded delegates of his own political journey, noting that he crossed from opposition to NRM in 2008 under Echodu’s influence. “The man I am marketing will never let NRM and you down given his track record. Soroti City West rallied behind him unopposed because of his community service, from supporting the needy to partnering with government in the fight against malaria in Karamoja, Teso and Lango sub-regions,” he said.

Nimrod Kakai, the youth chairperson for the Elgon Zone and research desk officer on Echodu’s campaign, emphasized the need for “vibrant brains” in NRM to sustain the vision President Museveni ignited in 1986. He warned that if leaders fail to deliver, the party risks being seen as one that makes promises without results.

In his address, Echodu urged delegates to support his bid, stressing that the forthcoming Central Executive Committee (CEC) elections will shape the future of the party. “To fix problems within the party, give me support so that I will team up with other foresighted leaders to close the gap between the party headquarters and grassroots structures,” Echodu said.

He criticized leaders who “lecture non-beneficial history” instead of presenting grassroots concerns to the president, promising to carry a message of “New Energy” into NRM leadership.

Gabriel Enyaru, a delegate from Butebo, echoed grassroots frustrations, saying party top leadership only engages them during elections. “When the president is coming, a team from Kampala runs down with T-shirts without involving anyone at the lower levels, and we are remembered only once in five years,” he lamented.

Patrick Okiring, the former FDC chairperson for Pallisa, who recently crossed to NRM, accused regional leaders of frustrating converts by failing to fulfill promises. He pointed to the viral video of Teso musician Johnson Emong Otinga complaining about neglect, calling it “a shame to Eastern Region NRM leaders, especially from Teso.”