Dr. Tanga Odoi’s Son Loses Election Victory

By Sadique Bamwita 

Kampala

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) election dispute tribunal presided over by the tribunal chairperson John Musiime, has nullified the election of Dr Tanga Odoi’s son Collin Odoi who was recently declared winner of the NRM Youth League chairperson polls.

In a statement released by the tribunal headed by John Musiime, the nullification followed a decision reached upon by the tribunal citing irregularities during the polls. It’s on this basis that the tribunal ruled that a fresh election must be conducted without Dr. Odoi’s involvement.

“Regulation 45(6) empowers the Tribunal, where non-compliance has substantially affected the results, to declare the election void, to declare another candidate elected, or to order a fresh election. Given the tainted tally and unreliable record, none of the petitioners can be declared duly elected”.

“The proper remedy is to nullify the election and direct a fresh poll for Chairperson of the NRM Youth League in strict compliance with the Constitution, Regulations and Guidelines” the statement reads in part.

The tribunal further warned Dr Tanga Odoi from taking part in the new elections since the NRM Electoral commission being a collegiate body can fully be able to proceed without him

The Tribunal Chair John Musiime ordered that:

“The declaration of Mr. Collins Tanga as Chairperson, NRM Youth League, is hereby nullified.

‘The NRM Electoral Commission is directed to conduct a fresh election for Chairperson, NRM Youth League, in strict compliance with the NRM Constitution, Election Regulations, and Polling Day Guidelines.

‘Dr. Tanga Odoi shall not preside over or participate in any capacity in the conduct of the fresh election. The other commissioners of the Electoral Commission shall conduct the election of the Youth League Chairperson.’

Collins Tangas was recently declared the winner of the NRM Youth League elections by his father Dr.Tanga Odoi after he obtained 1,567 votes to outcompetes his closest party rival Brenda Kiconco who garnered 1,355 votes

The tribunal further castigated the unlawful exclusion of candidates, it observed that Mackline Natukwasa was announced to have withdrawn without presenting the mandatory written and witnessed letter required under Regulation 32, while another candidate, Wilson Otto, was completely excluded from voting. 

 “The omission of Natukwasa and Otto therefore disenfranchised their supporters and materially undermined the credibility of the poll,” the panel discovered.