Africa-Press – Uganda. Bardege-Layibi Member of Parliament Martin Ojara Mapenduzi has publicly confirmed his decision to officially align with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), insisting his move is guided by principle—not political opportunism.
“There are no laws that bar an MP from changing political affiliation,” he told in an exclusive interview. “And this is not my first time signing an agreement to work with NRM—I have done so before.”
Mapenduzi, who entered elective politics under the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and later contested as an independent, dismissed critics branding him a political opportunist.
“I am not a political prostitute,” he said firmly. “Every political move I make is deliberate and thought through.”
Mapenduzi previously served as Gulu District Chairperson on the FDC ticket, later contested for Parliament independently, and was appointed by the National Unity Platform (NUP) to chair Parliament’s Local Government Accountability Committee.
He now says his alignment with the NRM is a strategic choice driven by a desire to deliver better services to his constituents—not a betrayal of earlier affiliations.
“I joined FDC in 2005 after deep thought. I was an active mobiliser for the party even at the national level,” he said. “But over time, the party’s internal bickering derailed us from our broader mission.”
He says he held a face-to-face meeting with FDC President Eng. Patrick Oboi Amuriat to express his dissatisfaction before leaving the party.
“I didn’t enter politics to fight individuals—I came to work with like-minded people to solve common problems,” he added.
In June 2023, Mapenduzi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work with the NRM. He says it was the product of careful engagement and reflection, not political coercion.
“As a leader, your decisions should stem from well-reasoned convictions. You don’t just jump ship—you weigh and decide,” he noted.
His shift has sparked criticism and even insults from some constituents and opposition supporters, particularly in northern Uganda where other leaders like MPs Anthony Akol and Michael Lakony have also recently moved to the NRM.
But Mapenduzi remains unfazed.
“People are free to talk, but as a leader, I choose what to respond to and what to ignore,” he said.
Asked if he expects real change now that he’s part of the ruling establishment, Mapenduzi was cautiously optimistic.
“My hope is that by working within the system, I can help address the challenges affecting my people. I’m not expecting radical change overnight, but I believe this is a platform for impact,” he explained.
He dismissed speculation that his defection is a ploy to earn a government position.
“I haven’t joined the NRM with demands. My focus is to contribute meaningfully. If the party sees value in my work and assigns me a role, that’s their decision—not my condition,” he stated.
As opposition defections mount across the Acholi sub-region, the spotlight now turns to whether these new alignments will yield real results—or deepen disillusionment among voters.
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