The Chairperson of the National Resistance Movement Electoral Commission, Tanga Odoi, has called on Uganda’s opposition leaders to prioritise domestic political engagement, warning that prolonged absence from the country could weaken opposition structures.
Speaking during Morning Breeze on NBS Television, Odoi emphasised that a functional opposition is essential for a healthy democratic system.
“It’s not prudent anywhere that the government should be celebrating the downfall of the Opposition. In nurturing democracy, you need Opposition,” he said.
His remarks follow recent developments involving former National Unity Platform presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, who announced plans to temporarily leave Uganda to engage international stakeholders on concerns surrounding the January 15 election outcome.
Kyagulanyi said his trip would focus on strengthening international engagement and advocating for targeted sanctions against the Ugandan government.
However, Odoi criticised the move, arguing that effective opposition leadership requires a strong presence on the ground.
“The Leader of Opposition should not be hopping around the globe criticising the government. He should be on the ground offering leadership to his supporters,” he said.
He further warned that the absence of a key opposition figure could create a leadership vacuum.
“The Leader of Opposition being out of the country makes the Opposition look like a headless chicken,” Odoi said, adding that veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye had previously demonstrated stronger post-election organisation.
Despite his criticism, Odoi condemned reported human rights violations involving Kyagulanyi’s family, saying allegations of abuse against his wife were disturbing.
Kyagulanyi’s departure followed weeks of operating from undisclosed locations after he claimed to have gone into hiding shortly after the polls, citing threats from security agencies and what he described as heavy military deployment around his Magere residence.
During his absence, Kyagulanyi appointed Lina Zedriga Waru as acting president of the National Unity Platform.
Since the January election, Kyagulanyi has rejected the results and accused the Electoral Commission of Uganda of manipulating the process, including announcing results without mandatory Declaration of Results forms—claims authorities have dismissed as unsubstantiated.
Government officials have also denied allegations of political persecution. The Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi, said the state has no intention of arresting or harming the opposition leader.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja similarly urged Kyagulanyi to return home, while security agencies maintain that deployments around his residence are intended to prevent public disorder.