David Calvin Echodu
David Calvin Echodu | |
|---|---|
| Assumed office 2026 | |
| Member of Parliament for Soroti West Division, Soroti City | |
| In office 2026–2031 | |
| NRM National Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda | |
| Assumed office 2025 | |
| Co-founder and leader of Pilgrim Africa | |
| Assumed office 2007 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 November 1973 |
| Party | National Resistance Movement |
| Education | Makerere University Washington University |
| Occupation | Journalist, economist, entrepreneur, politician |
Known for | Entrepreneurship, humanitarian work, politics |
David Calvin Echodu also known as Calvin Echodu (born 24 November 1973) is a Ugandan journalist, economist, entrepreneur and politician representing Soroti West County as the elected Member of Parliament on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket in the 12th Parliament (2026–2031).[1][2]
Early life and education
Echodu was born on 24 November in 1973 in Teso Sub-region of Uganda. He attended Kateta Model Primary School and Kococwa Primary School for Primary education. From there, Echodu joined Teso College Aloet and Amuria Secondary School before joining Makerere University and Washington University, United States.[1][3]
Career
Echodu began his career as a journalist before moving into humanitarian work and entrepreneurship. In 2007, he co-founded Pilgrim Africa, where he has led programmes in malaria prevention, trauma counselling, education, and community development across Uganda.[1][4][2]
As an entrepreneur, Echodu founded Earthwise Ferries Uganda, a company that seeks to modernize passenger water transport on Lake Victoria through the introduction of catamaran ferries. Through Pilgrim Africa, he also helped establish Beacon of Hope School (now Beacon of Hope College/Soroti Municipal Secondary School) in Soroti, which was founded in 2006 to provide education to former child soldiers, war-affected children, and other disadvantaged youth.[1][4][2][5]
Political career
Echodu entered active politics in 2021, when he contested for the Soroti City West Division parliamentary seat on the NRM ticket but lost to Jonathan Ebwalu and in 2025, was elected as the NRM National Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda.[6][7][8][9][3][10]
In the 2026 Ugandan general election, Echodu was elected as the Member of Parliament for Soroti West Division, Soroti City in the 12th Parliament (2026–2031). Following the elections, President Yoweri Museveni appointed him Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs) in the 2026–2031 Cabinet. Although his appointment was initially delayed due to citizenship-related legal issues, he remained the President's nominee for the portfolio.[11][12][13][14]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Echodu's rise from shadows of NRM's mobilisation engine". Monitor. 2025-09-01. Retrieved 2026-07-20.
- 1 2 3 "Soroti Tycoon Moves to Unseat Mukula from NRM Vice..." Sanyu FM 88.2. 2025-04-17. Retrieved 2026-07-20.
- 1 2 "Mukula exit paves way for Echodu victory". Monitor. 2025-08-28. Retrieved 2026-07-20.
- 1 2 "Pilgrim Africa | About Us". www.pilgrimafrica.org. Retrieved 2026-07-20.
- ↑ ChimpReports (2025-05-14). "Calvin Echodu: The New Energy in the Eastern NRM CEC Race". ChimpReports. Retrieved 2026-07-20.
- ↑ "Soroti Tycoon Declares Intention to Unseat Mukula for NRM Vice Chairman :". Uganda Radionetwork. Retrieved 2026-07-20.
- ↑ "Teso cheers Echodu's bid to unseat Mukula". Monitor. 2025-05-12. Retrieved 2026-07-20.
- ↑ Ojore, Godfrey (2026-01-15). "Ugandaelections2026: NRM vice-chairperson eastern Echodu votes". New Vision. Retrieved 2026-07-20.
- ↑ "Winners and losers in NRM CEC elections". Monitor. 2025-08-28. Retrieved 2026-07-20.
- ↑ Katungulu, Amon (2025-05-13). "How Calvin Echodu's Rise is Blowing Fresh Political Breeze in Eastern Uganda". Nilepost News. Retrieved 2026-07-20.
- ↑ "Museveni unveils new Cabinet, retains Nabbanja, Alupo and Janet in key reshuffle". Monitor. 2026-05-26. Retrieved 2026-07-20.
- ↑ "Citizenship of four ministers in question as Cabinet takes oath today". Monitor. 2026-06-08. Retrieved 2026-07-20.
- ↑ Ssejjoba, Eddie (2026-05-27). "News: 30 new entrants appointed to cabinet". New Vision. Retrieved 2026-07-20.
- ↑ Kashaka, Mary Karugaba and Umar (2026-06-08). "News: Four miss out on Cabinet swearing pending clearance over citizenship". New Vision. Retrieved 2026-07-20.