Hon Shyam Jay Tanna the New MP Elect for Tororo Municipality

 

Residents of Tororo municipality went into wild celebrations on 15 January 2026 after results from the polling stations indicated that 28-year-old Shyam Jay Tanna was leading incumbent MP Yeri Apollo Ofwono.

Shyam’s victory marked the end of the old guard's rule, which had torn the cosmopolitan municipality apart on tribal grounds and long-term rivalry between Ofwono and Sanjay Tanna, a former area MP who is his uncle and mentor.

Shyam, who contested on an independent ticket, was declared the winner of the Tororo municipality race by the returning officer Robert Twirize after garnering 5,781 votes against Ofwono of the National Resistance Movement [NRM] ticket, who got 4,829 votes.

Although the race had attracted other candidates like  Odaka Asuman Marijan [NEED], Annette Nandala Kimbowa [independent], Edward Okware [IND], Patrick Ochom Oguta (Ind), and Valentine Owor [NUP, Shyam’s vibrancy in articulating issues won the hearts of many electorates.

These made the incumbent, who is also the district chairperson of the National Resistance Movement [NRM] party, resort to racist attacks by describing Shyam as an Indian who should not be given a vote.

In most of his campaign rallies, he asked the voters to vote for him or any of the other candidates but not ‘’Nyathi pa muyindi’’ literally meaning son of an Indian.

A committed supporter of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the NRM government, Shyam draws inspiration from the President’s vision for national transformation as he campaigned without being driven into trivial issues

 He has been vocal about his desire to be mentored under President Museveni’s leadership, learning from his experience and guidance while serving the people of Tororo.

 “I strongly believe in the NRM government and in President Museveni’s vision,” he says. “The opportunities and resources are there — the problem is that our local leadership has failed to tap into them. I want to work hand in hand with the NRM and ensure Tororo finally benefits from what the government is already offering.”

 His manifesto focused on addressing key issues in employment & youth empowerment by creating job desks, promoting entrepreneurship, and enabling youth access to capital.

 He also focused on Education through Improving schools, teacher availability, and learning facilities, and healthcare by lobbying to equip hospitals and health centers with proper infrastructure and medical tools.

He also promised to address Infrastructure & Electrification challenges by lobbying for the Expansion of roads, electricity access, and urban services, and above all, improving household Income Growth by supporting projects that improve and sustain family income through small business development.

 Shyam represents a new generation of leadership — youthful, visionary, and dedicated to results. He believes leadership is not about age but about ability, sincerity, and the will to serve.

 “Some leaders have been in office for over a decade with little to show,” he notes. “Our people deserve better. It’s not about knowing everything — it’s about being willing to learn, to serve, and to deliver.”

 With his business experience, community background, and loyalty to the NRM government, Shyam J. Tanna is stepping forward as a bridge between generations — a leader ready to continue a family legacy, work closely with President Museveni, and usher Tororo into a new era of progress and prosperity.

 Voters have blamed the old politicians for setting up a disappointing precedent of promotion of hate speeches, tribalism, sectarianism and racism in the cosmopolitan municipality.

Majority of Ofwono’s foot soldiers crossed to Shyam’s camp after they were rigged out in the party primary elections

Josephine Aketch once a strong supporter of Ofwono re-aligned all her energies and strategies into Shyam’s camp. She said they were tired of a leader who wants to be adored by a king.

John Opio, former Tororo municipality mayor once a blue eyed boy of Ofwono but fell off took a lead in Shyam’s campaign trail thus exposing all Ofwono’s campaign tactics.

 

Who is Shyam Jay Tanna

Born and raised in Tororo, Shyam Jay Tanna is part of one of Eastern Uganda’s most prominent business and political families.

 He is the son of the late Hon. Jay Tanna, former Member of Parliament for Eastern Youth, and nephew to Hon. Sanjay Tanna, a senior NRM cadre and former MP of Tororo Municipality.

 Having grown up under their mentorship, Shyam has inherited a strong sense of leadership, enterprise, and public service.

 Shyam attended Kampala Parents School for his primary education and later joined Makerere College School for his O-Levels. He completed his A-Levels at Rainbow International School, Kampala, before proceeding to the United Kingdom, where he earned a degree in International Business and Digital Marketing.

After completing his studies, Shyam returned home during the COVID-19 period to join and later take over operations within the family group of companies — a legacy built by his late father and uncle.