Fifty-five opposition politicians and supporters from Mityana District have crossed to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), leaving parties including the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the National Unity Platform (NUP).
The group, which includes former Mityana District LC5 chairperson Patrick Mugisha Nshiimye, councillors and other political leaders, was received at the NRM headquarters in Kampala by the party’s Secretary General, Rt Hon Richard Todwong.
They were accompanied by Mityana North Member of Parliament Muhammad Kibedi Nsegumire.
Welcoming the new members, Todwong urged them to understand the responsibilities that come with political participation, saying politics should focus on addressing challenges affecting communities rather than creating divisions.
“We must understand what democracy is and what good politics means. Bad politics is politics that creates hatred among our people. Good politics is about identifying the issues that affect all of us and working together to address them,” Todwong said.
He said peace, security, development and poverty reduction should remain shared priorities regardless of political affiliation.
Todwong also encouraged the new members to promote government programmes aimed at improving household incomes, including Emyooga and youth-focused initiatives.
He said economic transformation requires cooperation among farmers, traders and consumers.
“The farmer needs a market, the trader needs the farmer, and the consumer needs the producer. We should therefore concentrate on what brings prosperity to our people rather than what divides them,” he said.
Todwong promised to visit Mityana to meet the new members and other residents and discuss ways of improving household incomes and strengthening unity.
NRM National Treasurer Amb Barbara Oundo Nekesa told the new members that joining the party comes with responsibilities beyond acquiring membership.
She urged them to help communities understand the difference between development and wealth creation, promote the party’s economic programmes and strengthen unity.
“The NRM philosophy has never changed. It has always been anchored around three areas: peace, unity and development,” Nekesa said.
Speaking on behalf of the new members, Mugisha thanked the NRM leadership for welcoming them and asked senior party leaders to guide them as they begin their new political journey.
“To the senior leaders, we ask you to guide us. We need your guidance and knowledge as we start this journey, because our desire is to serve our people and contribute to the future of our country,” Mugisha said.
He pledged that the group was ready to participate in party activities and work with communities in Mityana.
MP Kibedi welcomed the new members and called for continued engagement between party leaders and communities.
The 55 members formally expressed their readiness to take part in NRM activities and support the party’s work in Mityana.
