A simmering power struggle within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Party has burst into the open, pitting the party’s Eastern Uganda Vice Chairperson Capt. Mike Mukula against Uganda’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Nelson Oceger, in a fierce tug-of-war over who deserves credit for the NRM’s strong 2021 performance in the Teso Sub-region.
The controversy comes amid heightened activity ahead of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) elections, scheduled for August 2025, where longtime Eastern Region Vice Chairperson Capt. Mike Mukula faces a bold challenge from businessman and Soroti City West politician, David Calvin Echodu and Defense Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth.
The war of words began earlier this week when Uganda’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Nelson Oceger, while addressing NRM supporters at Skyz Hotel in Kampala, claimed that the resurgence of NRM in the Teso sub-region was largely due to the efforts of Echodu.
“Mr. Echodu was instrumental in regaining key NRM positions in Teso,” said Ambassador Oceger.
“He mobilized resources, built strong party structures, and ensured that NRM remained in control. Unfortunately, some opportunists have claimed credit for these victories.”
Oceger emphasized that the upcoming elections offer a chance for renewal within the party, warning of several internal threats that could undermine NRM’s stability.
“Self-interest over party interest, fear of internal competition, political intolerance, corruption and complacency, these are some of the issues we must confront head-on,” he said.
He concluded his remarks by throwing his full support behind Echodu’s bid for the powerful Eastern Region CEC slot, calling it “a generational call for responsible leadership.”
In response, Capt. Mike Mukula, the incumbent Eastern Region NRM CEC Vice Chairperson, took to his social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to defend his legacy and dismiss the claims as “misguided and politically opportunistic.”
Mukula stated that the NRM’s performance in Eastern Uganda during the 2021 general elections was the result of a long-term strategy anchored in party structures, community engagement, and unity at all levels of leadership.
“The numbers speak for themselves,” Mukula posted.
He stated that, in Eastern Uganda, NRM and its affiliates won 97 parliamentary seats, while another 25 Independents aligned with NRM.
“That is a total of 122 pro-NRM MPs. This kind of dominance does not emerge from spontaneous effort, it is the product of consistent leadership, coordination and trust in our movement.”
Mukula also pointed out that the opposition, which includes FDC (11 MPs), NUP (2 MPs), JEMA (1 MP), and ANT (1 Independent), has remained a distant minority in the region, reinforcing the effectiveness of NRM’s grassroots mobilization strategy.
“With 97 MPs directly under NRM and 25 Independent-NRM leaning MPs, the ruling party maintains a firm grip on the region. The opposition parties—FDC 11,NUP 2, JEMA 1 and ANT Independent 1 ,Opposition have a much smaller presence, which suggests that the NRM’s mobilization strategy is working effectively. Looking ahead to 2026, the focus will be on consolidating this support while expanding outreach to ensure even stronger backing for the Presidential candidate,” Mukula posted.
He warned against attempts to rewrite the history of NRM’s electoral achievements and called on party members to focus on unity ahead of the 2026 elections.
At the center of this showdown is David Calvin Echodu, a rising figure within NRM circles who has declared his intention to run for the Eastern Region CEC slot.
Echodu, a successful businessman and the NRM flagbearer for Soroti City West in 2021, has reportedly gained traction among youthful supporters and frustrated NRM members seeking change at the top.
In his own recent interviews, Echodu has emphasized the need for revitalizing NRM’s appeal across Eastern Uganda, promising to make the party more inclusive, responsive, and forward-looking.
“I represent a new generation of leadership that is committed to results and rooted in action, not just rhetoric,” Echodu said.
“Our people want change that respects the past but is not afraid to face the future.”
The NRM CEC elections are scheduled to take place in August 2025, with regional and national campaigns intensifying across the country.
The CEC is the party’s top organ, responsible for strategic decisions and shaping the party’s vision ahead of the 2026 general elections.
About Author
