Mugabi John Dumps FDC for NUP, Vows to Unseat Mbwatekamwa from Entebbe Municipality as MP
In a notable political development, Mr. Mugabi John, the former Deputy Secretary General for Research and Policy in the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), has formally joined the National Unity Platform (NUP) Wednesday, which he hailed as “the true liberation front for Uganda.”
Mr. Mugabi, accompanied by fellow defectors, was warmly received by NUP President Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine) at the party’s headquarters in Kavule, Kampala. The event attracted a substantial gathering of supporters and party leaders, reflecting the growing momentum behind Uganda’s youngest and most dynamic opposition party.
During his remarks, Mr. Mugabi candidly addressed the reasons behind his departure from FDC. “I have made a principled decision to exit FDC due to its leadership's betrayal of the struggle. They have aligned themselves with the very regime we set out to challenge,” he stated.
“The FDC I once joined stood for resistance, purpose, and clarity. It has now become a mere shadow of its former self.”
He criticized certain senior FDC figures for allegedly cooperating with President Museveni’s administration, claiming that such actions undermine the broader fight against autocracy and corruption.
According to Mr. Mugabi, an increasing number of former and current FDC members are becoming disillusioned and now view NUP as the most credible platform for meaningful change. “In NUP, we have rediscovered hope, direction, and a renewed commitment to the people’s cause,” he said.
Mr. Mugabi also used the platform to announce his candidacy for the Entebbe Municipality parliamentary seat in the upcoming general elections.
He vowed to challenge the incumbent MP, Hon. Michael Mbwatekamwa, whom he accused of compromising democratic principles and distancing himself from the people’s struggle.
“Entebbe deserves a leader who is deeply connected to the people's realities not one who chooses silence in the face of oppression,” Mugabi asserted. “My candidacy is not just a challenge it is a call for a new era of servant leadership.”
He pledged to champion transparency, enhance service delivery, and amplify the voices of ordinary citizens in Parliament.
Mr. Mugabi’s defection is expected to influence the political landscape in Entebbe and beyond, as opposition forces reposition themselves ahead of the 2026 general elections. His move highlights internal tensions within established opposition parties and reflects NUP’s growing influence among proponents of transformative leadership.
As the event concluded, Mugabi declared, “The time for talk has passed. It’s time to act and I choose to act with the people’s movement, the National Unity Platform.”
