By Mr Odeke
Kaabong, Karamoja | In a significant political development ahead of the much-anticipated NRM National Executive Committee (NEC) elections scheduled for August 22, 2025, delegates of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party from the Karamoja sub-region—specifically Karenga and Kaabong districts—have unanimously thrown their weight behind Mr. Echodu in his bid for the influential position of NRM National Vice Chairman for the Eastern Region.
The resounding endorsement was made during Echodu’s campaign tour in Kaabong District, part of a broader countrywide mobilization effort to consolidate grassroots support. His visit attracted a large gathering of NRM delegates, youth leaders, women’s groups, elders, and opinion leaders from across Karamoja who welcomed him with enthusiasm and optimism.
“We need leaders who keep their promises and who will continue keeping in touch with us,” the Kaabong leaders strongly asserted, highlighting their desire for accountable leadership that prioritizes consistent engagement with the grassroots.
A Call for Practical Leadership
In their speeches, the NRM delegates from Karenga and Kaabong expressed deep frustrations over years of political neglect and underrepresentation, particularly in key policy-making spaces. They emphasized that Echodu’s approach—marked by humility, consultation, and consistency—offers a new direction for Karamoja and the broader Eastern region.
Mr. Echodu, while addressing the gathering, thanked the people of Karamoja for their trust and confidence. He acknowledged the unique challenges facing the region and promised to be a true voice of the people in the upper echelons of the party’s leadership.
“My leadership will not be one of promises only, but of action. Karamoja must be fully integrated into the development agenda of Uganda. Your voice matters, and together, we shall walk this journey of transformation,” Echodu said.
He further committed to working with local leaders to address pressing issues including youth unemployment, access to clean water, education, insecurity, and the need for sustainable livelihoods in pastoralist communities.
Momentum Building Across Eastern Uganda
The Karamoja endorsement adds to a growing wave of support Echodu has received from various districts in Eastern Uganda including Soroti, Mbale, Bukedea, Tororo, and Kapchorwa. Political analysts say that this steady consolidation of grassroots structures could position him as a frontrunner in the race for NRM’s second-highest regional post.
What sets Echodu apart, supporters say, is his ability to blend youth-driven ideas with grassroots experience, while keeping touch with NRM’s historical principles and the core values of the party.
“He is young, vibrant, tested and loyal to the movement. But more importantly, he listens to us. That is the kind of leadership we are looking for,” remarked Rose Namusobya, a women’s league representative from Karenga.
The Stakes Ahead
The role of NRM National Vice Chairman for the Eastern Region is critical. The officeholder is tasked with providing political guidance across 40 districts, rallying support for national policies, and acting as a link between the grassroots and the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the NRM.
For a region as vast and diverse as Eastern Uganda—stretching from the slopes of Mt. Elgon to the cattle corridors of Karamoja—the right leader could reshape political engagement, resource allocation, and regional integration into national programs.
Echodu’s growing popularity and wide regional endorsements suggest a shifting political tide, one where the Eastern region is ready to rally behind a fresh face who understands both its pains and its potential.
Conclusion
With Karenga and Kaabong now firmly in his corner, Echodu’s campaign enters the final stretch with renewed momentum. As August 22 draws near, his message of unity, grassroots empowerment, and pragmatic leadership continues to gain traction.
In a political landscape often characterized by rhetoric and broken promises, the people of Karamoja have made their choice clear—they want a leader who walks the talk.
