What was meant to be a grand political statement by Captain Mike Mukula, a desperate attempt to rival the electrifying Calvin Echodu homecoming rally has crumbled into what analysts are calling an embarrassing political miscalculation.
Billed as a major NRM Day celebration, Mukula’s event instead turned into a logistical disaster, with stranded supporters, missing funds, and glaring absences of top party officials painting a picture of disorganization and dwindling influence.
The rally, held at Soroti Sports Grounds, was announced with pomp and grand promises. Delegates and supporters, many ferried from across the Teso sub-region, were enticed with the promise of a high-profile guest list, including Rt. Hon. Speaker Anita Among, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong, and dozens of MPs and CEC members, Instead, what they found was a poorly coordinated political stunt that left many questioning Mukula’s credibility and grip on the party machinery.
By 9:00 a.m., hundreds had arrived at the venue under the illusion that they were attending a national NRM celebration. However, as the hours dragged on and the promised dignitaries failed to appear, murmurs of discontent spread through the crowd. Eventually, it became clear, the event was not sanctioned at the highest level, and the expected political heavyweights were nowhere to be seen.
In the end, only one CEC member, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, showed up alongside three junior ministers: Hellen Adoa (Fisheries), Peter Ogwang (Sports), and Musa Ecweru (Works).
The notable absences of the Speaker, Prime Minister, and SG Todwong spoke volumes, signaling what many now interpret as silent disapproval from the top echelons of NRM leadership.
Worse still was the chaotic handling of logistics. No food. No water, No transportation. As the sun scorched over Soroti, tempers flared, Delegates, some of whom had travelled over 150 kilometers, began heckling speakers and demanding basic necessities.
“We want water! We want food! We are suffering!” the crowd chanted relentlessly, drowning out speeches and throwing the entire program into disarray.
It took the Intervention of Minister Musa Ecweru not Mukula to offer UGX 2 million from his own pocket to procure drinking water, He publicly pleaded with Adoa and Ogwang to chip in, in what many saw as an embarrassing admission of the event’s failure to meet even the most basic needs of its attendees.
Mr. Okello Jorem, a delegate from Kapelebyong, voiced the frustrations of many.
“We came here believing this was a national event, not Mukula’s personal crusade. From 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., we have had nothing to eat or drink. Now, the driver who brought us is refusing to take us back because he hasn’t been paid. This is a disgrace.”
Following the event’s premature end, scenes of chaos spilled into the streets as delegates from Kumi and Agwara camped outside Captain Mukula’s residence, demanding refunds for transport and expressing outrage over their treatment. Some threatened to abandon the NRM altogether if such negligence continued.
Adding fuel to the fire are emerging reports that over UGX 100 million allocated for refreshments and logistics had allegedly been misappropriated.
Sources from within Mukula’s own camp are pointing fingers at event organizers Richard Ekotu, Eumu, and Bisanga, accusing them of sabotaging the rally and pocketing funds meant for food and transport.
This development has only deepened the perception that Mukula’s rally was not only poorly attended and disorganized, but riddled with internal conflict and financial misconduct.
Political commentators have described the event as “the final nail” in Mukula’s waning influence, especially when compared to the wildly successful Echodu rally, which demonstrated real grassroots support and organizational prowess.
As of press time, dozens of delegates from Amuria, Serere, and Agwara remain stranded in Soroti, with transporters refusing to move without payment. Meanwhile, Mukula has remained silent, offering no apology, explanation, or reassurance to the hundreds he left in the lurch.
The failed counter-rally has exposed deep fissures within the local NRM leadership and raised serious questions about Captain Mukula’s political future in the Teso sub-region.