Hellen Akol Odeke, who had expressed interest in contesting against Speaker Anita Among for the Bukedea parliamentary seat, has been disqualified by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party on grounds of not having a permanent home in the district.
This development implies that, as far as the party is concerned, Anita Among becomes the automatic NRM flagbearer for Bukedea in the 2026 elections. In the 2021 parliamentary elections, Among ran unopposed. At the time, one of her opponents alleged that she had been intimidated into dropping out of the race.
Dr. Tanga Odoi, the NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson, told journalists today that a thorough investigation by the party had established that Hellen Akol did not own a house anywhere in Bukedea District, contrary to her earlier claims. The matter was reportedly raised by one of Among’s supporters.
Odoi emphasized that a candidate’s failure to prove permanent residence in the area where they intend to contest contravenes the party constitution. He added that this was the basis for Akol’s disqualification.
Following the disqualification, Anita Among was officially unveiled as the party’s flagbearer for Bukedea by Dr. Tanga Odoi. Speaking to journalists, Among said the announcement came as no surprise, stating that she has “always been unopposed.”
According to NRM Akol had claimed ownership of property in Kokonyere village. However, investigations revealed that she had only recently bought a piece of land in the area and had not yet developed it.
In 2016, Akol contested unsuccessfully as an independent candidate for the Kumi Woman MP seat.
At the same press briefing, Dr. Tanga Odoi announced that the number of individuals who had submitted nomination papers to contest in the upcoming NRM primaries stands at 2,718. This includes 2,165 parliamentary candidates, 553 LC5 chairpersons, and mayors.
Odoi further stated that starting tomorrow, all Members of Parliament and city mayors will be nominated at the NRM Electoral Commission offices from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, up to June 30, 2025. He clarified that nomination of municipal or division mayors, directly elected councilors, and special interest group representatives will take place at respective district NRM offices.
Dr. Tanga urged all aspiring candidates to be accompanied by only two individuals—a nominator and a seconder—to minimize congestion at the commission’s premises.
He also invited individuals interested in serving on the Central Executive Committee and executives of the party’s special organs at the national level to express their interest and pick nomination forms between June 26 and July 1 at the NRM Electoral Commission offices.
Outlining eligibility criteria for NRM candidacy, Dr. Tanga stated that all aspirants must be at least 18 years of age, be registered NRM members, have a positive track record of service within the party, and possess a clean criminal record for the past ten years.
Additionally, the commission announced that party primaries for special interest group committees at the parish level across the country will be conducted on June 20, 2025. According to Dr. Tanga, these elections will be held at parish headquarters, with the NRM parish register overseeing the electoral process.