The NRM Elections Disputes Tribunal has annulled the election of Collins Tanga as Chairperson of the NRM Youth League and ordered a fresh poll, effectively vindicating petitioners, including Brenda Kiconco, whose claims of irregularities have been fully validated.
In a landmark ruling delivered on Monday, September 8, 2025, the Tribunal headed by Mr. John Musiime, consolidated three petitions; from Brenda Kiconco, Wilson Otto, and Mackline Natukwasa, declaring that the Youth League polls held at Kololo Independence Grounds on 26-27 August 2025 were riddled with procedural flaws and conflicts of interest that fatally compromised the impartiality, credibility and legality of the election.
Kiconco, the 1st runner-up in the disputed youth polls, had contested Tanga’s victory, claiming she polled 1,355 votes against Tanga’s 1,167, yet got surprised to see “400 votes” from nowhere unlawfully added to her rival’s tally, citing the conflict of interest of the Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi, who is the 1st respondent’s father.
The Tribunal, in its 16-page ruling, acknowledged that while Collins Tanga was technically eligible to vie for the seat under NRM rules, the process itself was tainted by the direct involvement of his father.
Other irregularities, including the unlawful exclusion of candidates and repeated delays in polling, according to the tribunal panel, also had a substantial impact on the outcome.
While the Tribunal did not declare Kiconco the outright winner, as another of the three options of its ruling, it directed the NRM Electoral Commission to conduct a fresh election in strict compliance with party regulations, without the involvement of Dr. Tanga Odoi this time.
The fresh election, set to be conducted on a near-future date, is expected to yet again attract significant attention, will be closely monitored by party delegates and stakeholders keen on ensuring transparency and adherence to the NRM Constitution and Election Regulations.
