Kampala, Uganda: The abrupt disqualification of Ms Fiona Nakku from the NRM race for National Female Youth MP position has ignited a storm of accusations against the party’s Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi, with political analysts citing a glaring conflict of interest in his decision.
Dr. Odoi on Monday, August 18, wrote to Nakku communicating her de-nomination on grounds of age ineligibility, based on a petition filed by youth delegate Amanya Aaron and backed by a letter from the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA).
But political observers are now questioning the impartiality of the EC boss, pointing to his son, Tanga Collins, who is vying for the position of Chairperson of the National Youth Council (NYC) in the same electoral cycle.
Both Nakku and Collins hail from Bukedi Sub-region, which analysts argue that the former’s disqualification benefits the latter by eliminating a key contender linked to a strong political bloc within the youth structures.
The matter is further inflamed by revelations that Nakku is a sister to Hon. Barbara Nekesa Oundo, the NRM National Treasurer, which party insiders allege that Dr. Odoi has been locked in a long-running political feud with the Secretariat, where Oundo is a senior figure.
Tanga’s move to sanction Nakku’s disqualification, critics say, is seen as an attempt to undermine the Secretariat’s influence while boosting his son’s chances.
“This is a classic conflict of interest. How can the Chairman of the Electoral Commission preside over a decision that directly benefits his own son, who is a candidate in the same youth elections?” a senior NRM youth delegate told DailyExpress on condition of anonymity hours after Tanga’s letter disqualifying Nakku went viral.
The clash has also widened tensions between the party’s two nerve centers — Plot 13 Kyadondo Road, which houses the Electoral Commission, and Plot 10 Kyadondo Road, the Secretariat.
According to insiders, Nakku’s disqualification has sparked heated debates, with some commissioners accusing Odoi of overstepping his mandate and weaponising his office against rivals in the Secretariat.
This, analysts warn, sparks fury into the growing rift that could fracture the NRM’s internal cohesion ahead of the national youth polls and 2026 general elections, as factional wars between the EC and Secretariat intensify.
Dr Tanga was immediately unavailable for a comment to ascertain the authenticity of the letter, as well as a comment on the glaring allegations against his name and position.
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