Shocking Exit: Hon. Sanjay Tanna Quits NRM Entrepreneurs League CEC Race Over Election Credibility Concerns
KAMPALA: Hon. Sanjay Tanna, a prominent NRM cadre and candidate for Chairperson of the NRM Entrepreneurs League in the Central Executive Committee (CEC), has formally withdrawn from the race, citing widespread irregularities that he says have compromised the credibility of the election.
In a letter addressed to the NRM Secretary General and copied to the Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission, Tanna said the process had been “fatally compromised” by malpractice and the deliberate inaccessibility of the voter base.
“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 added that despite repeated petitions, no corrective action or guidance had been provided by the Party leadership. “Regrettably, despite these efforts, the violations have persisted. The credibility of the election has therefore been fatally compromised.”
The businessman-turned-politician emphasized that his decision was made “with regret, but with firm conviction,” underscoring his continued loyalty to the ruling party. “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,” he stated.
Tanna’s withdrawal comes just two days before the scheduled elections for the NRM Entrepreneurs League leadership. His decision, according to sources close to him, was made after advice from various members within the top party leadership.
The move leaves questions over the credibility and fairness of the process and may shape perceptions of the Party’s internal democracy.
Observers note that his decision is likely to fuel ongoing debate over transparency and internal democracy within the ruling party.