Ochodi Challenges Mukula for NRM Eastern Region Vice Chairmanship

Kampala, July 1, 2025. The race for leadership within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in Eastern Uganda intensified today as Calvin David Ochodi officially picked up nomination forms, declaring his intention to contest the powerful position of National Vice Chairman for the Eastern Region.

 

 Ochodi's move sets the stage for a direct challenge to the long-standing incumbent, Captain Mike Mukula.

 

The position, elected by delegates to the NRM National Conference, is a crucial seat on the party's Central Executive Committee (CEC), the highest decision-making organ between national conferences. Ochodi's acquisition of the forms signifies a serious bid to unseat Mukula, a prominent figure in Ugandan politics and business who has held the regional vice chairmanship for multiple terms. Mukula, also a former State Minister for Health and current Soroti City East MP, is known for his significant influence and resource base within the party and the Teso sub-region.

 

Ochodi's entry into the race introduces a potential shift in the Eastern Uganda NRM political landscape. While details of his specific platform were not immediately elaborated upon during the form collection, his challenge suggests a desire for new leadership or a different approach to representing the diverse interests of the Eastern region within the NRM's top echelons. The region encompasses numerous districts with varying political and socio-economic dynamics.

 

Captain Mike Mukula, a seasoned politician and businessman, is widely regarded as a formidable incumbent. His tenure has seen him actively involved in party mobilisation and development initiatives across the East. Challenging him requires significant mobilisation and support among the NRM delegates from the region. Ochodi's background, political experience, and connections within the NRM structures across Eastern Uganda will be critical factors in determining the viability of his challenge.

 

The nomination period for NRM internal elections, including CEC positions, is currently open, closing on July 12th, 2025. The election itself will be conducted during the upcoming NRM National Conference. Ochodi's move guarantees a contested election for this influential regional position, marking one of the first high-profile internal challenges visible in the current NRM electoral cycle. Political observers will be closely watching how both candidates campaign and consolidate delegate support in the coming weeks, as this contest could signal broader dynamics within the ruling party's regional power structures.