By Omecha Menelik
Uganda’s political landscape is like a heated football pitch — everyone lacing up their boots, chasing the ball, and aiming for that winning goal.
In the heart of Teso, once an old town and now a bustling city, lives an amiable man: Hon. ECODU Calvin. A seasoned figure in the NGO world of philanthropy, ECODU has long been known for his compassion — running a school in the middle of Teso for orphans and vulnerable children, writing strong proposals to the “white man,” and turning those funds into life-changing projects.
In 2016, he decided to test the political waters with both feet, running under the majority NRM party banner. He fought hard for the Soroti West Constituency seat, deploying every bit of his financial muscle. But politics, like football, is not just about the strength of your kick — it’s also about the crowd, the referees, and the rival team. His rival, the radio-hardened Jonathan Ebwalu, popularly known as “Mr. EUPA,” used his microphone reach and booming political voice to edge ECODU out.
Now, in 2025, the political winds are blowing once more, and Hon. ECODU is back on the field. This time, he’s not just chasing the Soroti West seat — he’s also gunning for a CEC membership position as Eastern Representative in the NRM’s top organ.
Here’s where my political curiosity kicks in: Why is a man still struggling to secure a place at the table now aiming for the head chair? Perhaps Hon. ECODU is a master of Teso proverbs: “Never carry all your eggs in one basket.” But in this case, he risks losing both the baskets and the eggs.
If I were whispering in the ear of his political advisors, I’d say this — start like a hunter in his apprentice days: bring home the small animals you can carry before chasing elephants. Yes, his countrywide tours have made him more visible than ever, but his opponents in Soroti West and CEC are no ordinary contenders. The current MP for Soroti West is guarding his seat with both eyes open and all his energy focused. And in the CEC race, the current Eastern Uganda representative, Mike Mukula, is not a man new to politics — he’s a veteran with deep networks.
Meanwhile, my Oliver Twist politician, Hon. ECODU, is stretching his military strategy across two battlefronts. It’s like dating two girls and expecting to marry both — bold, yes, but risky!
Come January 2026, we will conduct a political post-mortem. My honest prediction? If things don’t go as planned, Hon. ECODU will have his advisors to blame for over-ambition — the same fatal flaw that once brought down Napoleon.
As the Iteso say: “Edit da onyam kwangin” — let’s win Soroti City West first, then move to CEC.
Omecha Menelik
frankjonahomecha@gmail.com
Writer is a political analyst, researcher, Pan-Africanist, patriot, and lover of Teso.
