In the wake of the deaths of two National Resistance Movement Central Executive Committee members, questions arise regarding the representation of Karamoja and Northern Uganda within the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Central Executive Committee.
But despite the gap, NRM members from the affected regions will have to wait until the next elections to elect new vice chairpersons.
Since Speaker Jacob Oulanyah’s death in March 2022, NRM members in Northern Uganda have not had a Central Executive Committee representative due to the absence of fresh elections.
The situation has now been compounded the recent death of Simon Peter Aleper, the NRM CEC representative for Karamoja Region.
According to Tanga Odoi, a CEC member and chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission, there was initial debate over whether to replace Oulanyah immediately.
However, the NRM Central Executive Committee decided to postpone these elections until the end of the current members’ tenure in 2025.
Odoi said CEC chairpersons are more than just regional representatives and they play crucial roles in the party’s national leadership.
“CEC chairpersons are national leaders, not just representatives of specific regions. They contribute significantly to the party’s overall leadership,” he said.
Despite the lack of direct representation for the larger Northern region, the NRM maintains a comprehensive leadership structure that extends to local councils.
CEC members actively engage with these local leaders, including Members of Parliament, to ensure all regions are heard and well represented.
Former CEC member Flight Captain Francis Babu said that despite the absence of the two members who passed away, the CEC still operates with a quorum, making its decisions legally binding.
He also mentioned the high cost of convening the National Council, which comprises around 4,000 members, as a significant factor in postponing elections for the vacant positions.
According to the party constitution, the national conference, which could address pressing issues, only meets twice in five years.
While the gaps left Oulanyah and Aleper do not significantly impact the party’s operations, they do affect regional dynamics.
The Central Executive Committee retains the option to call for early elections to fill all vacant positions, ensuring the party remains cohesive and well represented.
This affects the party’s popularity in the region, some of these people will feel neglected” says Dombo the Director Communication NRM.
