In a stunning twist that has rocked Uganda’s political establishment, Foreign Affairs Minister Gen. Jeje Odongo has defied the ruling NRM to run as an independent candidate in Orungo County. Insiders say the move exposes deep fractures within Museveni’s party ahead of the 2026 elections. Gen Jeje Odongo defies NRM to run as independent, a move that is making waves across Uganda.
A Political Earthquake Rocks the Ruling Party
Uganda’s political landscape was thrown into turmoil this week after Foreign Affairs Minister Gen. Jeje Odongo — a long-serving loyalist of President Yoweri Museveni — broke ranks with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to run as an independent candidate for the Orungo County seat in Amuria District. His decision to stand independently signifies Gen Jeje Odongo defying NRM’s expectations.
The announcement sent shockwaves through both the party’s top brass and grassroots supporters, raising fresh doubts about the NRM’s unity ahead of the high-stakes 2026 elections.
“This is no ordinary defection — it’s a political thunderclap,” remarked one NRM insider who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Odongo’s Defiant Stand: Duty Over Party
Sources close to the General say Odongo decided to go independent after missing the NRM primaries — reportedly due to official foreign duties. But behind that explanation lies a deeper story of discontent, disillusionment, and internal betrayal. In this context, running as an independent became a necessity for Gen Jeje Odongo as he defies NRM to run as independent in pursuit of his vision for leadership.
Odongo, known for his military discipline and diplomatic poise, is said to have been frustrated by what he called ‘irregularities’ in the primaries, including vote-buying and intimidation.
“I could not, in good conscience, participate in a flawed process,” Odongo was quoted as saying during his independent nomination.
His independent run, he insists, is not rebellion but “a call to restore integrity and service in leadership.”
Party Panic: Cracks in the NRM Fortress
Within the NRM, Odongo’s move is being seen as a dangerous precedent. The party has struggled to contain members who go independent after losing or skipping primaries — and Odongo’s high-profile status makes this rebellion even more damaging.
Political analysts warn that his breakaway could embolden other disgruntled cadres, potentially fracturing the NRM’s traditional dominance in eastern Uganda. This situation underscores the narrative that Gen Jeje Odongo defies the NRM to pursue an independent route, signaling a significant shift in the political dynamics.
“If a minister of Odongo’s stature can defy the party line, who’s next?” one political commentator asked rhetorically on social media, where the story has gone viral.
Supporters Rally Behind the “People’s General”
Despite the backlash from party loyalists, Odongo’s announcement has been met with jubilation in Orungo County, where residents hailed him as “the people’s general.”
Videos circulating on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) show supporters chanting his name, waving posters that read: “Service Before Politics.”
The 2026 Countdown Begins
With the 2026 general elections drawing near, Odongo’s bold gamble has upended Uganda’s political script. Whether his move signals the rise of a new independent wave or the beginning of internal chaos for the ruling party remains to be seen.
One thing is clear: Gen. Jeje Odongo has detonated a political bomb inside the NRM fortress — and the shockwaves of this defiance to run as an independent are only beginning to be felt. Gen Jeje Odongo defies NRM to run as independent and the consequences will unfold in the upcoming elections.
