By Spy Uganda
Hon. Sanjay Tanna, a seasoned NRM cadre and candidate for Chairperson of the ruling party’s Entrepreneurs League in the Central Executive Committee (CEC), has dramatically withdrawn from the race, citing “grave irregularities” that he says have undermined the credibility of the electoral process.
In a formal letter to the NRM Secretary General, copied to the Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission, Tanna declared that the exercise had been “fatally compromised.” He pointed to alleged malpractice, voter bribery, and the ferrying of voters from outside Uganda, alongside the systematic denial of access to delegates.
“Together with fellow candidates, I first submitted a joint petition on 17th August, later raised the same concerns before CEC during vetting on 21st August, and again through my formal letter of 23rd August to your office. In all these submissions, I highlighted grave irregularities, including the bribery and ferrying of voters outside the country, and the fact that the majority of the voter base was rendered inaccessible by being scattered in hotels and denied to candidates for lawful engagement,” Tanna wrote.
He further lamented that, despite repeated petitions, the party leadership had failed to provide corrective action. “Regrettably, despite these efforts, the violations have persisted. The credibility of the election has therefore been fatally compromised,” he added.
Tanna’s withdrawal comes despite endorsements from delegates in the Northern, Eastern, and West Nile regions, support which had positioned him as a formidable contender. Sources close to him disclosed that the final decision was reached after consultations with senior figures within the ruling party.
The businessman-turned-politician, however, stressed his enduring loyalty to the NRM: “I remain a loyal cadre of the NRM, committed to the Party’s vision and values, and it is my hope that the leadership will reflect on these concerns to strengthen the integrity of our internal democratic processes.”
His exit from the contest, just two days before the scheduled elections, has triggered questions about the fairness and transparency of the process. Political observers suggest the move could intensify scrutiny of the ruling party’s internal mechanisms, especially as Uganda edges closer to the 2026 general elections.
Analysts argue that Tanna’s withdrawal not only reshapes the dynamics of the Entrepreneurs League race but also reopens long-running debates about accountability and inclusivity within NRM’s electoral structures.
