Captain Mike Mukula, the Eastern Uganda Vice Chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), has allegedly blocked his former political rival Moses Okia Attan on X (formerly Twitter), according to Moses Okia Attan.
The fallout follows an exchange over the alleged defection of 300 opposition members to the NRM in Soroti City East.
Mukula, who defeated Attan in the 2011 parliamentary elections, has remained a significant political figure in the region.
Attan, a prominent opposition leader, contested in subsequent elections, winning the Soroti City East seat in 2021 before his victory was nullified by the courts.
In the resulting by-election, he lost to Herbert Edmund Ariko, an NRM-backed candidate.
The latest controversy erupted on Saturday evening when NRM leaders, including the Soroti District Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Paul Eseru, praised Mukula on social media for orchestrating the defection of 300 opposition supporters.
Attan, however, took to his X account to question the authenticity of the claims, accusing Mukula’s team of using financial incentives to lure opposition supporters.
“Soroti East is a busy day with Christmas ‘buying’ opposition supporters for political games led by @Mukulaa,” Attan wrote.
“It’s time for some Christmas goodies for our people. Our people eat but know what they want!”
Mukula, seemingly irked by the remarks allegedly responded by blocking Attan on X.
This move has since sparked further criticism, with Attan accusing Mukula of avoiding accountability and transparency.
In a bold counter, Attan has now challenged Mukula to a live debate on Voice of Teso, a radio station owned by the NRM stalwart.
“I dare him to a debate for two hours on his radio. Blocking Attan doesn’t take away the truth,” he stated.
He also questioned the credibility of Mukula’s claims, asking, “How many people have they been presenting as defectors since 2006 to date?”
The alleged defections have become a flashpoint in the ongoing political rivalry between the NRM and opposition forces in Soroti City East.
While Mukula’s camp maintains that the defections signal growing support for the NRM, opposition leaders like Attan argue that such moves are merely political theatrics aimed at consolidating power.
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