The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Elections Disputes Tribunal has nullified the election of Collins Tanga as Chairperson of the NRM Youth League, ordering a fresh vote after ruling that the August polls were fundamentally flawed.
In its ruling delivered on Monday, September 8, 2025, the Tribunal, chaired by Mr. John Musiime, upheld petitions filed by Brenda Kiconco, Wilson Otto, and Mackline Natukwasa, all of whom challenged the legitimacy of the election held on August 26–27 at Kololo Independence Grounds.
The panel concluded that procedural irregularities and conflicts of interest “fatally compromised the impartiality, credibility and legality of the election.”
Kiconco, who emerged as first runner-up, had contested the results, claiming she received 1,355 votes against Tanga’s 1,167, but later saw “400 votes” added to her rival’s tally. She further accused the NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi, Collins Tanga’s father — of presiding over the process, creating a direct conflict of interest.
The Tribunal’s 16-page ruling reinforced her claims, pointing to Dr. Odoi’s active involvement.
“The evidence shows that [Dr. Tanga Odoi] chaired proceedings in this election at Kololo, controlled the microphone and public address system, announced alleged withdrawals… and ultimately read out and declared the results in favour of his son. These are not ceremonial acts; they are the very acts by which an election is presided over as father of one of the contestants, Dr. Odoi was personally invested in the outcome and could not, in appearance or in fact, exercise the detachment and impartiality required by law,” the ruling stated.
The panel also faulted other irregularities, including the exclusion of candidates and repeated polling delays.
“The evidence shows that polling for this position was pushed back on more than two occasions and only held at night. The conflict of interest compromised impartiality, and the delay affected participation. Taken cumulatively, these irregularities clearly and substantially affected the result,” the Tribunal noted.
While it declined to declare Kiconco as the outright winner, the Tribunal directed the NRM Electoral Commission to conduct a new election free from the involvement of Dr. Odoi.
“The declaration of Mr. Collins Tanga as Chairperson, NRM Youth League, is hereby nullified,” the verdict read. “The NRM Electoral Commission is directed to conduct a fresh election for Chairperson, NRM Youth League, in strict compliance with the NRM Constitution, Election Regulations, and Polling Day Guidelines.”
It further emphasized: “Dr. Tanga Odoi shall not preside over or participate in any capacity in the conduct of the fresh election. The other commissioners in the Electoral Commission shall conduct the election of the Youth League Chairperson.”
The decision marks a significant victory for the petitioners, especially Kiconco, whose allegations of irregularities and bias have now been formally validated.
