By Jamil Kazibwe
Sources from Plot 10 Kyaddondo reveal that Dr. Tanga Odoi wields immense power within the compound, overshadowing even senior officials like the Secretary General. His influence is so significant that no one, including the Secretary General, dares to challenge him.
Dr. Tanga credits himself for the downfall of former Secretary General Justine Lumumba, leveraging this narrative to intimidate any dissenting party officials. This perceived power has forced current Secretary General Richard Todwong to maintain a deferential stance, fearing a similar fate as Lumumba. Tanga’s confrontational style, marked by divisive rhetoric and intimidation, ensures that he remains central to decision-making. In fact, Todwong rarely meets the president without Tanga’s presence, and decisions in top management meetings often bear his stamp of approval.
For NRM candidates hoping the Secretary General might control Tanga’s influence as Electoral Commission head, the reality suggests otherwise.
During the recent register digitization exercise, Tanga appointed himself head of the lucrative rapid response docket, granting him control over a sizable budget to address emerging issues nationwide. Despite this mandate, the register remains deeply flawed, raising concerns about its quality.
Key issues include:
1. Exclusion of Eligible Youth: Many young voters, a crucial demographic, were left out because registration at the village level occurred while they were in school.
2. Inflated and Inaccurate Data: The register is riddled with multiple entries and ghost members, stemming from unauthorized alterations while registration booklets sat idle in district offices for six months.
These flaws suggest the register is a ticking time bomb for the upcoming NRM primaries. Stay tuned for examples of inflated registers that Dr. Tanga’s commission plans to use in the elections.
