By Patriot Corps
Mukula’s perennial rival in Teso politics, Mr. Calvin Echodu, the NRM flag bearer for Soroti West Constituency, has officially declared his interest in challenging Flight Capt. Mike Mukula for the position of NRM National Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda.
Speaking to the media and NRM delegates at Sky Hotel in Naguru on April 2nd, Echodu emphasized the need for young and energetic cadres to support President Museveni in steering the party towards socio-economic transformation while preserving the historical mission of the NRM.
“The president needs young, energetic cadres to help him steer the party into socio-economic transformation and also preserve the historical mission of the NRM,” Echodu stated.
Majority of the attendees kept uttering that Mukula, who has served at the helm of the party’s top policy organ, the Central Executive Committee (CEC), for nearly 15 years, has failed to make a significant impact on the concerns of the people of Eastern Uganda.
Meanwhile, Fredrick Ojangole, an NRM delegate from Teso, accused Mukula of using his position to enrich himself and suppress emerging leaders in the region.
“Mukula has used this position to enrich himself and fight all upcoming cadres in the region,” Ojangole alleged.
He further claimed that many NRM cadres in Teso have grown increasingly uncomfortable with Mukula’s leadership style, adding:
“For some time now, NRM cadres in Teso have been unhappy with Mukula’s leadership. Many accuse him of supporting opposition candidates against them. A case in point is Ojur Peter, the NRM MP flag bearer for Soroti Municipality, and even Her Excellency Jessica Alupo in 2016.”
Political analysts argue that Echodu, despite being the underdog in this race, could complicate the contest for the party’s Eastern Uganda leadership, especially given Mukula’s dwindling popularity in the region. This situation is further compounded by Hon. Oboth Oboth also expressing interest in the same position.
Records from the 2020 NRM party elections indicate that Mukula performed poorly in his stronghold of Teso, as well as in Bugisu, Busoga, and Bukedi, securing victory only in the Sebei sub-region. Additionally, in the broader Northern Uganda contest, Mukula lost to Sanjay Tanna across all sub-regions. However, support from Central and Western Uganda gave him a lifeline, although analysts believe that he ultimately lost the overall election to Tanna.
Jonathan Mugenyi, a delegate from Western Uganda, expressed support for Echodu, saying:
“We are willing to work with Calvin Echodu to help NRM and President Museveni achieve the dream of transforming Uganda from a peasant country to a modern state.”
As the battle for Eastern Uganda’s NRM leadership intensifies, all eyes are now on the upcoming party elections to determine who will emerge victorious in this highly contested race