Seven MPs defect to NUP as Bobi Wine expands opposition bloc

• Bobi Wine’s National Unity Platform has officially welcomed seven Members of Parliament, including defectors from FDC, DP, and independent positions.
• The development is viewed as a major gain for NUP ahead of Uganda’s next general elections.

The National Unity Platform (NUP) led by Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has officially welcomed seven Members of Parliament who defected from other political affiliations to join Uganda’s leading opposition party.

The event took place on Wednesday at the NUP headquarters in Makerere Kavule, Kampala.

Among the defectors are Dr. Timothy Batuwa (Jinja South West) and David Isabirye Aga (Jinja North), both formerly with the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). Also joining were Fortunate Nantongo, the Woman MP for Kyotera District; John Paul Mpalanyi (Kyotera County); and Lutamaguzi Ssemakula (Nakaseke South) — all previously elected on the Democratic Party (DP) ticket.

They were accompanied by Joan Namutaawe, Woman MP for Masaka District, and Patrick Nsanja of Ntenjeru South, who had been serving as an Independent.

In addition to the MPs, NUP also welcomed former media personality Zambaali Bulasio Mukasa, who resigned from his position as a news anchor at NBS Amassengejje to run for office in Nansana Municipality under the NUP banner.

Speaking in a statement, Bobi Wine expressed gratitude and optimism:

“We have been very honored to welcome into the National Unity Platform, this afternoon, Members of Parliament who have officially joined the Party… You’re very welcome home, our Honourable comrades! #WeAreRemovingaDictator!”