KAMPALA, Uganda – February 18, 2026 — The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has spoken out following the defection of its Chief Whip, Yusuf Nsibambi, to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Nsibambi was officially received into the NRM on Wednesday by the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, and the NRM Secretary General, Richard Todwong, in a move that has stirred debate within Uganda’s political circles.
Warm Welcome at NRM
The defection ceremony took place on February 18, 2026, with NRM leaders praising Nsibambi’s decision to join the ruling party.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Richard Todwong welcomed the legislator, describing him as an experienced leader whose intellect and commitment to national service align with the NRM’s ideology of patriotism, democracy, Pan-Africanism, and socio-economic transformation.
“Today, we officially welcomed Hon. Yusuf Nsibambi into the @NRMOnline family… We are proud to have him on board as we continue building a stronger Uganda together,” Todwong wrote.
Previous Meeting at State House
Before his official defection, Nsibambi had led a delegation of opposition Members of Parliament who lost in the recent elections to a meeting with President Yoweri Museveni at State House Entebbe. The engagement reportedly raised concerns within FDC leadership.
FDC Responds: ‘Disappointing but Not Surprising’
In an official statement issued on February 18, 2026, FDC President Patrick Amuriat Oboi said while Nsibambi’s actions were disappointing, they were not entirely unexpected.
Amuriat revealed that the party had been monitoring what he described as “concerning tendencies,” including the State House engagement that allegedly occurred without party clearance. According to the FDC leader, disciplinary action had been under consideration before Nsibambi’s exit.
“With his departure, that internal disciplinary process is now overtaken by events, and he falls under the jurisdiction of his new political home,” Amuriat stated.
Replacement of Chief Whip Underway
The FDC leadership confirmed that consultations are already underway to fill the vacant Chief Whip position in Parliament. Amuriat emphasized that the party will exercise its right to appoint a replacement without delay.
Despite the high-profile defection, FDC reaffirmed its commitment to the struggle for democratic change in Uganda, insisting that the departure of one individual would not weaken its resolve.
Political Impact
Nsibambi’s crossover adds to a growing list of opposition figures who have switched allegiance to the ruling NRM, potentially reshaping parliamentary dynamics ahead of upcoming political activities.
Political analysts say such defections often influence committee leadership roles, legislative negotiations, and party strategies within Uganda’s multiparty system.
