The Chairman of the Electoral Commission of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Party, Dr Tanga Odoi, has called on the party’s Central Committee (CEC) to discipline members who defy the official party position with regard to the Serere by-elections.
“Party members must be disciplined to follow the party line. Without it, we will have problems in 2026. After the party presents the flag, you all have to support the party flag, especially after the election is over,” said Odoi
Odoi’s appeal came after several senior party officials chose to support an independent candidate, Emmanuel Omonding, son of the late Patrick Okabe, instead of Phillip Oucor, the county’s official elected flag bearer. Lwengo district chairman Ibrahim Kitatta agreed with Odoi, describing party members who refused to abide by internal election results as “roaming”.
“That (election) is the final authority to determine the party flag bearer, but some people are errant because of the magnanimity of the Party Chairperson (Yoweri Museveni). We shall not back people who are errant,” Kitatta Said
However, some legislators say the party could leverage support from pro-NRM independents to consolidate control of the constituency.
Bubulo East MP John Musila, himself a supporter of the Independent NRM, said the situation could be resolved in favor of the NRM.
“What is wrong with spreading out if you have and independent who is NRM-leaning? And then you have the flag-bearer. That way, you surround the enemy,” Musila Argued
Furthermore, Odoi said internal opposition to NRM standard-bearers was due to personal ploys and not based on the candidate’s shortcomings.
“It is mostly due to family division. We cannot be party to such petty divisions.” He Said
However, Odoi is optimistic that NRM will win the by-election.
“We will go directly to Serere by aircraft carrier, because we have gone directly to the villages. Leaders are elites. We went down to the base.” Odoi Added
The Serere County by-election is scheduled for February 23th of this year. The seat was vacant after the death of former MP Patrick Okabe in a road accident.
The race also drew Alice Alaso from the Alliance For National Transformation , Martin Onguruco, an independent candidate, and Emmanuel Eratu from Forum For Democratic Change (FDC).
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