Namutumba, Uganda: The Minister of State for Housing, Hon. Princess Persis Namuganza, has appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to relieve Dr. Tanga Odoi of his duties as Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission, accusing him of manipulating elections and eroding party support in Busoga.
Her remarks followed Dr. Odoi’s declaration of Emmanuel Maganda Katooko as the NRM flag bearer for Bukono Constituency with 20,512 votes, against Namuganza’s 17,764. Other contestants included Bajje Baite Paul (1,593), Gusongoirye Siraji (1,546), and Mpanga Andrew (541).
Speaking to the press on Tuesday, September 09, Namuganza said Dr. Odoi’s conduct was weakening the party. “We ask Mzee Museveni that Tanga Odoi steps out of Namutumba elections. Our party in Busoga is losing support, and people in this region are aware of what happened to Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, and this is always fresh in the minds of people,” she said.
Namuganza accused Tanga of conniving with candidates to alter results, citing tallying irregularities and violence during the Bukono primaries held across 76 villages in Kibaale Town Council and Kibaale Sub-County.
She has since petitioned the NRM Electoral Tribunal, seeking nullification of results in the two sub-counties.
In the earlier election held on July 17, 2025, Maganda was declared the winner with 32,226 votes, against Namuganza’s 17,324, but after Namuganza’s petition, the commission deducted results from the two contested sub-counties, leaving Maganda with 6,447 votes against her 15,773.
In the rerun conducted on Monday, Namuganza returned 1,991 votes, while Maganda polled 14,065, bringing the final tally to 20,512 against the minister’s 17,764.
The tallying process at Kibaale High School was marred by chaos as Namuganza’s agents rejected the results. A fight broke out in the tallying room after officials began announcing results before her objections were heard, forcing the commission team to abandon the exercise and return to Kampala.
Some materials, including a computer, projector, and declaration papers, were reportedly destroyed in the scuffle.
The NRM Secretariat and the Electoral Commission were both yet to issue a statement at the time of filing this story on Wednesday morning.
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