Mbarara: Two Former NUP Flagbearers Defect to NRM, Presented to President Museveni

Mbarara City, Uganda , Two former National Unity Platform (NUP) flagbearers have officially joined the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) after abandoning their earlier bids under the opposition party.

Peter Mpaka, who recently withdrew from the Mbarara City North parliamentary race, and Mark Itogooro Nyabihemu, the former NUP mayoral candidate for Mbarara City, were on Monday unveiled to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni during an event held at the Golf Course grounds in Booma Cell, Mbarara City.

According to the two defectors, their move was prompted by what they described as unmet expectations of financial and logistical support from NUP during their campaign preparations. They told the President that they had joined the opposition party hoping for substantial backing to facilitate their political activities but were left disappointed, leading them to cross to the ruling party.

President Museveni welcomed the duo and encouraged them to focus on mobilizing for development-oriented politics in their constituencies.

In a separate development, Ceaser Rubangakene, a former NUP member and independent candidate for the Pece–Laroo constituency, has written to the Electoral Commission requesting to withdraw from the forthcoming race. His reasons for withdrawal were not immediately disclosed.

The defections mark yet another shift in Uganda’s evolving political landscape as several aspiring candidates reassess their positions ahead of the next election cycle.