NRM tribunal nullifies Collins Tanga’s election as Youth League Chairperson

KAMPALA — The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Election Disputes Tribunal has nullified the declaration of Collins Tanga as Chairperson of the NRM Youth League and ordered a fresh election.

In its ruling, the Tribunal cited irregularities that “substantially affected the result,” noting that the tally was tainted and the record unreliable. The panel, chaired by John Musiime with members Diana Kasabiiti and Esau Isingoma, determined that none of the petitioners could be declared duly elected under the circumstances.

“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 Tribunal ruled.

The Tribunal further directed that Dr. Tanga Odoi, Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission and father to Collins Tanga, should play no role in the conduct of the fresh election. It noted that the Commission, as a collegiate body, was fully able to proceed without him.

Resultant Orders:

1. The declaration of Mr. Collins Tanga as Chairperson, NRM Youth League, is nullified.
2. The NRM Electoral Commission shall conduct a fresh election in full compliance with the party’s Constitution, Regulations, and Polling Day Guidelines.
3. Dr. Tanga Odoi shall not preside over or participate in any capacity in the conduct of the election.

The development follows the disputed election of August 27, 2025, when Collins Tanga was declared winner after polling 1,567 votes against his closest rival, Brenda Kiconco, who garnered 1,355. A total of 2,922 valid votes were cast.

His victory, announced by his father, Dr. Tanga Odoi, immediately sparked protests among youth delegates, who cited a conflict of interest. Allegations emerged that students from Makerere University—where both Collins and his father are influential—had been mobilized to tip the outcome.

As tensions grew, NRM National Chairperson President Yoweri Museveni intervened, urging calm and calling for the youth elections to be cancelled and repeated under his oversight. His directive left the NRM Youth League leadership in limbo, with the Electoral Commission insisting that the elections had been properly concluded and urging candidates to unite behind the party’s agenda.

The Tribunal’s decision now casts fresh uncertainty over the future of the NRM Youth League, as party organs weigh whether to uphold its ruling or rally behind the earlier declaration.

Observers say the outcome of this dispute will test the party’s internal democratic processes and could set a precedent for how future electoral conflicts within the NRM are resolved