By Alexander Mackey Okori
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party Vice Chairman for Eastern Uganda Capt. Mike Mukula has hit back at his rivals, challenging them to focus their campaigns on ideology and institutional understanding rather than populist promises as he defends his 16 year tenure.
This is after the Defense Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth accused him of failing to address the issues of poor service delivery and youth unemployment in the region as the party’s National Vice Chairman for Eastern Uganda.
While these are indeed pressing and legitimate concerns for Eastern Regional and Uganda as a country, Mukula insists that they fall within the core responsibilities of government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), as mandated by the Constitution of Uganda.
According to him, the National Vice Chairman doesn’t allocated budgets, can’t appropriate resources and is not an accounting officer.
He explains that fight poverty, building hospitals, improving roads creating jobs and enhancing public service delivery are functions embedded within the national development plans and government budgets.
Mukula adds that reducing the Regional Vice Chairman’s role to infrastructure or service delivery metrics reveals a misunderstanding of the NRM Constitution, government structure, and public office responsibilities
The race for NRM Eastern Vice Chairman is expected to intensify the coming months with a number of candidates declaring their interest for various internal party positions as the country gears for 2026 general polls.
Three candidates have so declared their candidature for the juicy held by Capt. Mike Mukula who is also seeking for re-election, bringing the tally of candidates to four as of 1st May.
Among the candidates are Musa Lumumba, former parliamentary aspirant for Soroti City West, David Calvin Echodu and defense minister Jacob Oboth Oboth.
Capt Mike Mukula, a prominent figure in Teso politics, has been a driving force in the area, serving as the Vice Chairman of the NRM party in the Eastern region for 16 years.
However, it appears that his influence is waning, as some top NRM cadres in the region have shifted their allegiance to money mogul, David Calvin Echodu.
Echodu formally declared his bid for the NRM National Vice Chairman Eastern Uganda during a press conference at Skyz Hotel Naguru, Kampala on Wednesday, April 2, this year.
Among those backing Echodu are Teddy Acam, State house mobilizer in Teso, Charles Elasu Soroti District NRM chairman, John Elibu, the NRM Chairman for Gweri County Augustine Otuko private secretary to the President in charge Political affairs
Previously, Mukula had faced opposition from within the party, particularly during the Soroti East by-election, where he was accused of ignoring the main NRM campaign task-force.
This incident may have eroded trust among some party members, ultimately contributing to the withdrawal of support.
In contrast, David Calvin Echodu seems to be gaining traction among the NRM cadres in Teso because of his reported ability to connect with the grassroots and address local concerns.
As the region’s politics continue to evolve, Echodu’s rising influence in the political arena may signals new era of leadership in Teso.
The shift in allegiance among top NRM cadres in Teso serves as a reminder of the fluid nature of politics. As alliances are forged and broken, the region’s political landscape continues to take shape as political analysts follow closely .
The ultimate impact of this development will be felt in the months to come, as the region moves forward with a new configuration of political forces, ahead of the general elections.
