By Nathan Eyagu

TESO — The political landscape in Eastern Uganda is undergoing a significant shift as David Calvin Echodu, a businessman and rising political mobilizer, garners growing support in his bid for the position of NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda on the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC).

In a campaign that has quickly gained traction, Echodu met with delegates from Kaberamaido, Kumi, Ngora, Bukedea, and Kalaki districts as he kicked off his Teso regional tour. The meetings, which drew a strong turnout of grassroots leaders and party supporters, culminated in a unanimous endorsement from delegates in all five districts — signaling a growing appetite for new leadership in the region.

“This is not just about positions anymore; it’s about results,” said David Calvin Echodu during one of the engagements. “We must translate the NRM's message into practical change — economic opportunities, functioning structures, and leaders who live and serve among the people.”

The Teso sub-region has long been considered a stronghold of Flt. Capt. Mike Mukula, who has served as the NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda for over a decade. However, frustration is mounting among local leaders who claim that the region has suffered from years of neglect, unfulfilled promises, and a disconnect between the leadership and the people.

Okello John Michael, the NRM District Chairperson for Ngora, voiced strong criticism of the current state of party leadership in the region:

“Since I took office in 2016, we’ve never had a single meeting with the Vice Chairman for Eastern. There’s no functional office, no feedback loop, and no presence. We only see him when the president is visiting or when it’s time to seek votes.”

According to Okello, political brokers have taken advantage of the gaps, sidelining dedicated party cadres and weakening the NRM’s foundational structures at the grassroots level.

A Memorandum of Regional Demands

During a critical meeting in Kaberamaido District, a detailed memorandum was presented to Echodu by Ababa David, a district councillor. The document outlined long-standing and unresolved regional concerns, including:

• Animal compensation for victims of insurgency, which has only benefited a small fraction of claimants.

• Revitalization of the Teso Cooperative Union, once a pillar of economic empowerment that collapsed and left farmers in poverty.

• Support for NRM SACCOs and party structures, many of which lack funding and leadership support.

• Construction of industries in Kumam areas, to reduce youth unemployment and promote value addition to local produce.

• Establishment of a public university in the Kumam sub-region, to ease access to higher education and boost household incomes.

• Increased appointments of Kumam leaders to national positions, citing the region’s historical underrepresentation in cabinet and senior government roles.

• Special support packages for families of fallen NRM cadres and those who lost loved ones in the insurgency but have not been compensated.

Echodu pledged to prioritize these issues should he be elected, promising to work directly with President Museveni and relevant ministries.

“These are not demands — they are rights. Our people have waited too long for what is rightfully theirs,” he said. “We will not let the sacrifices of NRM cadres go unnoticed anymore.”

Unlike Mukula’s campaign, which has leaned heavily on his past achievements, Echodu’s message has been centered on grassroots empowerment, visibility, and accountability. He has emphasized the need to restructure NRM’s operations at the local level, including establishing permanent offices for regional leadership and conducting annual district-level review meetings — something many delegates claim has been missing for years.

Richard Ochom, Mayor of Kumi Municipality and the area’s NRM chairperson, expressed concern over Teso’s lagging development indicators despite having several high-ranking party officials.

“Teso is now the second poorest region in Uganda. We have leaders in top offices, but what is their impact? One factory in Soroti and no local benefit. No bursaries. No health sector progress. Soroti Regional Hospital could have been elevated to national referral level, but we remain in the same spot year after year.”

Ochom added that he supports Echodu’s bid not because of financial influence but because of capacity and commitment.

“I will vote for Echodu not because of money, but because I believe in his ability to lobby and deliver.”

A Turning Point in Eastern Uganda Politics

Delegates across the five districts echoed similar sentiments: the need for a new generation of leaders who are present, proactive, and aligned with community needs. The endorsements point to a growing desire to shift from a legacy-based leadership model to one grounded in practical delivery and grassroots engagement.

A delegate from Bukedea summed up the mood:

“We are tired of hearing what was done 10 years ago. We want to see who is helping us today. We want leaders who sit with us, understand our problems, and act.”

With growing momentum and strong district-level endorsements, Echodu is emerging as a formidable contender ahead of the NRM CEC elections at Namboole Stadium on August 27. If current trends continue, Eastern Uganda could see a generational leadership shift — one that places grassroots empowerment at the center of the party’s regional agenda.

“This vote is not about personalities,” said one delegate from Kalaki. “It is about priorities, performance, and the promise of a better future for our region.”