Written by Twinomujuni Charles Keith Eswau
The Scene That Caught Everyone’s Attention
Captain Mike Mukula, the longtime NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda, made a notable appearance at the Thanksgiving ceremony of his successor, David Calvin Echodu the man who now holds the seat Mukula occupied for over a decade.
The gesture was not lost on observers. In Ugandan politics, where bruised egos and quiet grudges often follow electoral defeats, showing up to celebrate your “replacement” is anything but ordinary.
How We Got Here
At the NRM National Delegates Conference held at Kololo Independence Grounds in August 2025, Mukula dramatically withdrew from the race at the last minute, clearing the way for David Calvin Echodu to clinch the position of NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda.
While announcing his withdrawal, Mukula said he stepped aside for the party’s interest and personally introduced Echodu to the conference chairperson as a show of unity. However, hours later, Mukula released a press statement claiming he had quit over widespread corruption and voter bribery in the campaign.
Echodu went on to poll a staggering 5,211 votes — a 99.5% landslide.
Museveni’s Take
President Museveni publicly praised Mukula’s decision, stating that he consistently advocates for solution-based leadership emphasising that it is not about who leads, but what is accomplished.
He commended both leaders for returning to the NRM’s principle of shared interest over individual position.
Who Is Echodu?
David Calvin Echodu, 52, is a Soroti-born, US-educated entrepreneur holding a Master’s in Business Administration from Seattle University.
He is the founder of Pilgrim Uganda, a non-profit that has tackled malaria, education, and community health including distributing over 50,000 mosquito nets across the region.
What Mukula’s Presence Signals
For a man who has held the Eastern Uganda seat since 2010, attending Echodu’s Thanksgiving speaks volumes.
It suggests Mukula is not withdrawing from public life and that he may be carefully positioning himself ahead of Uganda’s 2026 general elections.
Whether this is genuine statesmanship or strategic goodwill, only time will tell. But in Eastern Uganda’s political theatre, the Captain just made a quiet yet powerful move.