Only Museveni, Kigongo spared as NRM gets new CEC leaders

Kololo, Uganda: The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has ushered in a new-look Central Executive Committee (CEC) after Thursday morning’s declaration of winners in the hotly contested internal elections for Vice Chairpersons across the country.

Save for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Party National Chairman, and his First National Vice Chairperson, Alhaji Moses Kigongo, who both went through unopposed, all other incumbents were swept aside by fresh faces in a dramatic reshaping of the top party organ.

The polls, which began on Wednesday afternoon and stretched deep into the night at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, concluded at exactly 4:30 a.m. when Dr. Tanga Odoi, Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission, announced the last batch of winners.

Anita Among secures a landslide victory

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Anita Annet Among, was the first to taste victory on the night, securing the most emphatic win, when she defeated her arch-rival, former Speaker Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga in the race for Second National Vice Chairperson (Female). The Bukedea Woman MP secured 11,680 votes (92.8%) against Kadaga’s 902 votes (7.2%).

In her victory speech, Among thanked delegates for their overwhelming support and extended an olive branch to Kadaga, saying, “I want to express my gratitude to our mother, Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga, for running an excellent campaign and her significant contributions to the party and our country.”
“We will rely on her for advice and guidance in the days ahead,” she added.

Tight contests and high drama

In the second declaration of the results on the night, Dr Tanga announced Soroti-born David Calvin Echodu as Vice Chairperson-elect for Eastern Region after polling 5,211 votes (99.5%), while Namutumba Woman MP Mariam Naigaga polled 253 votes.

The outgoing Vice Chairperson, Capt. Mike Mukula had earlier dramatically withdrawn at the last minute and endorsed Echodu to succeed him.

In Karamoja Region, John Baptist Lokii, also Member of Parliament for Matheniko County, emerged as Vice Chairperson with 3,694 votes (81.1%), while in the Northern Region, Government Chief Whip Hamson Denis Obua trounced State Minister Sam Engola and former EALA Speaker Dan Kidega with 3,591 votes (67.4%).

The Western Region race also produced heated exchanges after outgoing Vice Chairperson Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, who lost to Asiimwe Jonard Akiiki, cried foul before the President, raising complaints of alleged voter importation. Asiimwe got 4,044 votes against the Minister’s 2,303.

In Kampala, Salim Saad Uhuru, the Central Division NRM Chairperson, defeated Rubaga North NRM Flag bearer Singh Katongole with 2,411 votes to 1,375.

The fiercest contest among Regional Vice Chairpersons came in the Central Region race, where State Minister for Microfinance Haruna Kasolo narrowly edged Kayunga District NRM Chairperson, Mr Kaliisa Moses Karangwa, with 4,194 votes against 3,981 after other contenders, including outgoing Vice Chairperson Godfrey Kiwanda, stepped down in Kasolo’s favor.

Museveni intervenes

At about midnight, President Museveni briefly stepped out of his tent to resolve delays in the lining-up voting method. He ordered the removal of uncredentialed individuals from queues, allowing the process to continue smoothly.

After the final results at dawn, Museveni congratulated the winners and appealed for calm among those dissatisfied. “Any irregularities can be traced, and if malpractice occurred, the party will address it appropriately,” he assured.

These will be joined by the elected chairperson of the Special Interest Groups (Women, Youth, Entrepreneurs, PWDs, Elderly, Historical, Veterans, and special nominees to complete the CEC set up.

Later today, Museveni is expected to formally close the week-long Delegates Conference, unveil the new CEC leadership, and be introduced to the National Conference as the NRM’s unopposed flagbearer for the 2026 Presidential elections.