Kololo, Kampala: President Yoweri Museveni has referred the confirmation of Collins Tanga as NRM Youth League National Chairperson to the party’s tribunal, after a section of disgruntled youths Thursday protested before him, challenging the legitimacy of the election.
Tanga, son of NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi, was declared winner of the highly disputed elections in the wee hours of Wednesday with 1,567 votes, narrowly edging out the youth favorite, Ms Brenda Kiconco, who garnered 1,355 votes.
The election, held at Kololo Independence Grounds, quickly descended into chaos, with youth delegates alleging a conflict of interest and manipulation by Dr. Odoi in favour of his son, which prompted the SG Richard Todwong to initiate a call to the President, resulting in the suspension of the remaining elections under the Youth League and Youth MP Flagbearers.
But as the NRM Secretary General Rt. Hon Richard Todwong announced the newly elected CEC leaders on the afternoon, a section of youth delegates booed at the mention of Collins Tanga’s name, with chants that Tanga is not the elected winner but declared to suit his father’s interest as the NRM EC Boss.
Attempts by President Museveni to calm the situation were met with resistance, as youths insisted the election had been forced upon them by Dr Tanga Odoi.
In his address to the youths, the President emphasized adherence to legal processes, saying it is the right pathway to challenge a winner of the election declared by the electoral returning officer.
“I have noted the objection of the youth, but when I checked with lawyers, once somebody is announced, they can only be removed by petition,” Museveni said.
“If I had the power to order anything, I would have done it, but I don’t have [that power], except to refer it to the tribunal. Let us have an amendment to the resolution to say the election of the youth leader is contested. My young people, your objection will be part of this resolution,” the President explained.
The Youth League elections, initially scheduled for Monday, August 25, were postponed to Tuesday, but the youth delegates had to painfully wait from 10 am, the scheduled time, until 8 pm when the process started for the highly anticipated polls.
The Youth League chairmanship is a key strategic position within the NRM, representing the party’s largest demographic and playing a central role in youth mobilization ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The power to overturn Collin Tanga’s victory now lies with the tribunal, which is expected to investigate the petition and decide on the legitimacy of the election.
In any case, the possible decisions from the tribunal are three: dismissing Kiconco Brenda’s petition challenging the election outcome, allowing the petition and declaring Kiconco the winner, or nullifying the results and ordering a rerun if irregularities are confirmed.
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