Teso Mps, LC5s, NRM District bosses shun Echodu's homecoming event

Calvin Echodu’s recent homecoming was a total political flop, laying bare his diminishing influence in Teso. The event saw no attendance from any Ugandan MP, no LC5 chairpersons, and only five NRM subcounty chairpersons—many of whom were reportedly ferried in from Tubur, Katine, and Dakabela to save face. Only Hon. Esenu, MP for Kapelbyong and a member of Pilgrim Africa, showed up. All Teso MPs and ministers boycotted the function in a coordinated show of rejection. Echodu had no message, couldn’t articulate any political agenda, and stood speechless—underscoring his lack of charisma and political substance.

Worse still, his name has become synonymous with land grabbing and treachery. From the controversial Golf Club land, UBC land in Dakabela, the attempted takeover of Teso College and Soroti University land, to 18,000 acres in Katakwi titled in his mother’s name, and land belonging to the Ministry of Agriculture in Serere—his record is riddled with scandal.

Echodu is not only a poor strategist, but also a naturally weak mobilizer. He failed to deliver Soroti West to NRM, resulting in a humiliating loss for President Museveni to Patrick Amuriat of FDC—the only such loss in Uganda. Backed by a team of opportunists and money schemers, Echodu’s CEC bid and political ambitions are headed for certain failure.