Todwong, Nekesa Welcome 55 Opposition Politicians, Led by Former Mityana LC5 Chairperson, to NRM

Fifty-five opposition politicians and supporters from Mityana District have crossed to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), in a political realignment that has brought together former members of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), the National Unity Platform (NUP) and other political groups.

The group, led by former Mityana District LC5 Chairperson Patrick Mugisha Nshiimye, was officially received at the NRM party headquarters in Kampala by the party's Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, accompanied by the National Treasurer, Hon. Ambassador Barbara Nekesa Oundo.

The delegation comprised political leaders, councillors and grassroots supporters, and was also joined by Mityana North Member of Parliament, Hon. Muhammad Kibedi Nsegumire.

The new members' arrival marks a change in their political affiliations, with the group pledging to work with the ruling party and participate in its activities in Mityana District.

While welcoming them, Todwong urged the new members to embrace responsible politics, emphasising that democratic participation should focus on addressing the challenges affecting citizens rather than creating divisions along political lines.

He said the decision to join the NRM should go beyond party membership and be accompanied by a commitment to understanding the principles of democracy, promoting peaceful coexistence and working towards the country's development.

"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.

The NRM Secretary General observed that peace, security, development and poverty reduction are national priorities that transcend political affiliations, urging the new members to prioritise issues that directly affect the livelihoods of Ugandans.

"When you look at Uganda, there are certain issues that are compulsory for all of us. Whether you come from NRM, FDC, NUP or any other political organisation, we all need peace, security, development and a way of fighting poverty," he said.

Todwong challenged the new members to use their political experience and grassroots networks to mobilise communities around economic transformation, particularly by encouraging households to take advantage of government programmes designed to improve incomes.

He specifically highlighted initiatives such as Emyooga and youth-focused economic programmes, saying political leaders should help communities understand and utilise the available opportunities to improve their livelihoods.

According to Todwong, Uganda's economic transformation requires cooperation among farmers, traders, manufacturers and consumers, whose activities are interconnected.

"We need to understand that our people are economically connected. 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.

He added that political leaders should use their influence to promote economic cooperation and help communities identify practical solutions to poverty instead of engaging in politics that fuels social divisions.

Todwong also pledged to visit Mityana at an appropriate time to meet the new members and engage with the wider community on strategies for improving household incomes and strengthening unity.

"At an appropriate time, we will come to Mityana and meet you and the bigger audience to interact as leaders and devise ways of uplifting our people, based on increasing household incomes and promoting unity among the different people in society," he pledged.

The NRM National Treasurer, Hon. Ambassador Barbara Nekesa Oundo, also welcomed the defectors, urging them to embrace their new political responsibilities by focusing on economic mobilisation, wealth creation and national unity.

Nekesa outlined three key responsibilities for the new members, including helping communities distinguish between development and wealth creation, popularising the NRM's economic models and promoting unity among residents.

"As new people whoe have come on board, there are three things I want you to focus on. First, help our people understand the difference between development and wealth creation. Secondly, popularise and mobilise our people to embrace the key economic models of the NRM. And thirdly, promote unity," she said.

She emphasised that the NRM's guiding philosophy remains centred on peace, unity and development, urging the new members to translate these principles into practical action within their communities.

"The NRM philosophy has never changed. It has always been anchored around three areas: peace, unity and development. Your responsibility is to promote unity, ensure there is peace and work with our people for development," Nekesa said.

She further challenged the defectors to become active participants in economic mobilisation, particularly by sensitising residents about government initiatives and the opportunities available to households, young people and other sections of society.

Nekesa noted that the NRM has been in government for four decades and said the new members should help extend its economic transformation message to communities across Mityana.

"The NRM government has been around for the last 40 years, and our progress is steadfast. Your role now is to help us mobilise our people and make them understand the economic opportunities available to them," she said.

Speaking on behalf of the 55 new members, Mugisha thanked the NRM leadership for welcoming them into the party, expressing confidence in the guidance and experience of its senior leaders as they embarked on their new political journey.

He said the group was committed to serving their communities and contributing to Uganda's future, while calling on the party leadership to provide them with the necessary guidance as they settled into their new political home.

"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 reaffirmed the group's willingness to participate in activities aimed at advancing the interests of their communities and the country.

We are available and ready to work for our people and for the future of our country, Uganda," he added.

Mugisha's leadership of the delegation brought together former political leaders and grassroots supporters who have now pledged to work under the NRM banner in Mityana.

Meanwhile, Hon. Kibedi welcomed the new members, reflecting on the political journeys of some of the individuals and the support they had received from various leaders and grassroots structures.

He underscored the importance of sustained engagement between political leaders and their communities, encouraging the new members to maintain close ties with the people they seek to represent and serve.

Kibedi also emphasised collaboration and continued interaction among party leaders and members as essential elements in strengthening grassroots structures and advancing community interests.

The reception at the NRM headquarters provided an opportunity for the party leadership to outline its expectations of the new members, particularly regarding economic mobilisation, unity and participation in party activities.

The 55 members expressed readiness to take part in the NRM's programmes and activities in Mityana, with their leaders pledging to work towards the party's objectives while continuing to engage with local communities.

Their entry into the NRM adds to the political realignments taking place at the grassroots level, with the new members expected to participate in the party's mobilisation and organisational activities in Mityana District.