Africa-Press – Uganda. Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa on Wednesday unveiled 15 parliamentary candidates from opposition parties who have defected to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), describing the move as part of a broader political “realignment” in the country.
The candidates were paraded at a press conference held at the NRM headquarters at Plot 10, Kyadondo. Most of the defectors are from the National Unity Platform (NUP) and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
The defectors included David Okullu from Oyam North (NUP), Eric Mukomba from Butebo, Joseph Kanto Ochen from Lamwo County , Hillary Tumuhimbise from Rujumbura, Charles Odongo from Kwania North, Dennis Onyum( Kyoga County), Walter Okot( Aswa County) and Godfrey Oryem from Omoro all from the National Unity Platform.
Others included Emmanuel Olebo(Kbale County in Pallisa) Martin Owako( Pallisa County), Yokania Mukeke( Bunyole East), Moses Balikowa(Bunya South), Yasin Mabaale( Bunyole West) and Edwin Namanya( Bushenyi-Ishaka) from FDC
Addressing the media, Tayebwa said the new entrants joined the NRM after prolonged engagements, dismissing claims that they were bribed or coerced to abandon their former parties.
“We have been engaging these people for several months, and we shall continue to engage more,” Tayebwa said. “There has been a rumour that we buy people. How much would you buy these people? These are individuals with whom we have had deeper conversations. It is a process, and we continue talking.”
He rejected accusations, particularly from NUP, that he is involved in buying off opposition flag bearers across the country, insisting that the defections were voluntary.
“I see some people are not happy with what we are doing, and I don’t expect them to applaud us,” Tayebwa said. “We are going to have more people joining as long as we continue sweet-talking them. This is the same way many people have left NRM to join the opposition. I was once in the opposition and joined NRM. What is wrong with using our contacts to invite people to join us?”
Tayebwa said the ruling party encourages dialogue and persuasion rather than intimidation, urging political actors to stop abusing or blackmailing individuals who change their political positions.
“We tell them that even if NRM has weaknesses, can the available alternatives solve the problems the country is grappling with?” he said. “You would rather join us to address these challenges. This has been done before and will continue.”
NRM Deputy Secretary General Rose Namayanja Nsereko welcomed the defectors, describing their decision as an act of patriotism.
“We believe everyone has ideas, and the guiding principle of NRM is that everyone can contribute to the development of our country,” Namayanja said. “What these people have done by joining the progressive NRM is a desire to do good for Uganda.”
Namayanja cited her own political journey as an example, noting that she previously belonged to the Democratic Party (DP) before joining NRM through dialogue and rising through party structures.
“When you come, we become one,” she said. “We work together not just for NRM, but for the good of our country. The decisions you have made are not personal; they will contribute to the development of the areas you come from.”
NRM Director of Information and Publicity Emmanuel Dombo also emphasized that the party allows free political movement.
“There is free entry and exit in our bus,” Dombo said. “Once you enter, you have equal rights.”
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