{"id":7128,"date":"2025-05-21T14:45:55","date_gmt":"2025-05-21T14:45:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mgdmedia.live\/?p=7128"},"modified":"2025-05-21T14:45:55","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T14:45:55","slug":"seven-mps-defect-to-nup-in-major-political-shift-ahead-of-2026-elections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mgdmediaug.live\/?p=7128","title":{"rendered":"Seven MPs Defect to NUP in Major Political Shift Ahead of 2026 Elections"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"\" data-start=\"124\" data-end=\"448\">The National Unity Platform (NUP) has officially welcomed seven Members of Parliament who have defected from other parties, including the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Democratic Party (DP), and the independent ranks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"450\" data-end=\"702\">The new members were unveiled in a spirited ceremony held at the NUP headquarters in Makerere Kavule, Kampala, on Tuesday, attended by party president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine), party officials, and hundreds of jubilant supporters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"704\" data-end=\"726\">The defectors include:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"728\" data-end=\"1187\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"728\" data-end=\"792\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"730\" data-end=\"792\"><strong data-start=\"730\" data-end=\"752\">Dr. Timothy Batuwa<\/strong> \u2013 MP, Jinja South West (formerly FDC)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"793\" data-end=\"852\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"795\" data-end=\"852\"><strong data-start=\"795\" data-end=\"817\">David Isabirye Aga<\/strong> \u2013 MP, Jinja North (formerly FDC)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"853\" data-end=\"922\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"855\" data-end=\"922\"><strong data-start=\"855\" data-end=\"877\">Fortunate Nantongo<\/strong> \u2013 Woman MP, Kyotera District (formerly DP)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"923\" data-end=\"984\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"925\" data-end=\"984\"><strong data-start=\"925\" data-end=\"947\">John Paul Mpalanyi<\/strong> \u2013 MP, Kyotera County (formerly DP)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"985\" data-end=\"1048\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"987\" data-end=\"1048\"><strong data-start=\"987\" data-end=\"1011\">Lutamaguzi Ssemakula<\/strong> \u2013 MP, Nakaseke South (formerly DP)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1049\" data-end=\"1122\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1051\" data-end=\"1122\"><strong data-start=\"1051\" data-end=\"1069\">Joan Namutaawe<\/strong> \u2013 Woman MP, Masaka District (formerly Independent)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1123\" data-end=\"1187\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1125\" data-end=\"1187\"><strong data-start=\"1125\" data-end=\"1143\">Patrick Nsanja<\/strong> \u2013 MP, Ntenjeru South (formerly Independent)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1189\" data-end=\"1416\">Additionally, Zambali Bulasio Mukasa, a former anchor for NBS TV\u2019s \u201cAmassengejje\u201d news bulletin, also joined the party, announcing his intention to contest for the Nansana Municipality seat under the NUP ticket in 2026.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1442\" data-end=\"1607\">Speaking at the ceremony, Bobi Wine welcomed the new members, calling their decision \u201ca bold and timely choice\u201d in the fight against injustice and misrule in Uganda.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-start=\"1609\" data-end=\"1840\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1611\" data-end=\"1840\">\u201cThis is not just about changing political colors. This is about standing with the people who demand accountability, dignity, and a better future. These leaders have chosen to stand on the right side of history,\u201d Kyagulanyi said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1842\" data-end=\"2046\">The NUP president emphasized the need for unity among opposition figures and reiterated the party\u2019s goal of unseating President Museveni\u2019s National Resistance Movement (NRM) in the upcoming elections.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2085\" data-end=\"2404\">The ceremony was held under tight security, with police and other security personnel stationed around the NUP offices\u2014a reminder of the continued government scrutiny of opposition gatherings. Despite this, the mood at Makerere Kavule remained jubilant, with party flags flying and supporters chanting slogans of change.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2406\" data-end=\"2622\">Dozens of local leaders from sub-county and municipal levels also used the occasion to publicly declare their allegiance to NUP, handing over their previous party symbols in exchange for red NUP berets and flags.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2645\" data-end=\"2974\">Analysts view the mass defection as a strategic victory for NUP, which has in recent years rapidly replaced FDC as the dominant opposition party. After its landmark performance in the 2021 elections, where it won 56 parliamentary seats, NUP continues to position itself as the most viable political alternative in Uganda.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2976\" data-end=\"3143\">The party\u2019s appeal, especially among young voters and urban populations, has been fueled by its outspoken stance on human rights, corruption, and political reform.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3145\" data-end=\"3315\">Dr. Batuwa, one of the defectors, cited frustration with internal divisions in FDC and what he called the party\u2019s \u201closs of moral direction\u201d as his reason for joining NUP.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-start=\"3317\" data-end=\"3466\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3319\" data-end=\"3466\">\u201cThis is not defection for convenience. It is a step towards aligning with a people-centered movement that reflects our true aspirations,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3498\" data-end=\"3749\">With these high-profile defections, NUP has not only expanded its parliamentary influence but also gained a stronger presence in critical regions like Busoga, Buganda, and Greater Masaka, where voter turnout and engagement will be crucial in 2026.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3751\" data-end=\"3908\">The move places additional pressure on other opposition parties, particularly the DP and FDC, to redefine their strategies or risk further attrition.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3910\" data-end=\"4075\">\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The National Unity Platform (NUP) has officially welcomed seven Members of Parliament who have defected from other parties, including the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Democratic Party (DP), and the independent ranks. The new members were unveiled in a spirited ceremony held at the NUP headquarters in Makerere Kavule, Kampala, on Tuesday, attended by party [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":7129,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[425],"class_list":{"0":"post-7128","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-politics","8":"tag-bobi-wine-nup"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v16.5 (Yoast SEO v19.6.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Seven MPs Defect to NUP in Major Political Shift Ahead of 2026 Elections - MGD MEDIA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/mgdmediaug.live\/?p=7128\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Seven MPs Defect to NUP in Major Political Shift Ahead of 2026 Elections\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The National Unity Platform (NUP) has officially welcomed seven Members of Parliament who have defected from other parties, including the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Democratic Party (DP), and the independent ranks. The new members were unveiled in a spirited ceremony held at the NUP headquarters in Makerere Kavule, Kampala, on Tuesday, attended by party [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/mgdmediaug.live\/?p=7128\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"MGD MEDIA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebok.com\/mgdmedia1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-05-21T14:45:55+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/mgdmediaug.live\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_3461-750x375-1.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"750\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"375\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Timothy Lukanga\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@mgdmedia1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@mgdmedia1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Timothy Lukanga\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/mgdmediaug.live\/?p=7128#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/mgdmediaug.live\/?p=7128\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Timothy Lukanga\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/mgdmediaug.live\/#\/schema\/person\/b4fb7b716071bd99a31927d09cc271b4\"},\"headline\":\"Seven MPs Defect to NUP in Major Political Shift Ahead of 2026 Elections\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-05-21T14:45:55+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-05-21T14:45:55+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/mgdmediaug.live\/?p=7128\"},\"wordCount\":531,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/mgdmediaug.live\/#organization\"},\"keywords\":[\"#BOBI WINE #NUP\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Politics\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/mgdmediaug.live\/?p=7128#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/mgdmediaug.live\/?p=7128\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/mgdmediaug.live\/?p=7128\",\"name\":\"Seven MPs Defect to NUP in Major Political Shift Ahead of 2026 Elections - 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