Top Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leaders in Katakwi District have crossed over to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.
The development was confirmed on Sunday by Capt. Mike Mukula, NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda, via his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
Mukula revealed that the defectors were led by Mr. Martin Omedo Odaka, a former district leader and aspiring LCV chairperson, and Ms. Aguti Stella Jane.
The group was formally presented to Mukula by the NRM district chairperson Mr. Edeket Richard Opio, accompanied by their legal representative, Mr. Okiror.
“I have just received a crossover FDC team from Katakwi District led by Mr. Martin Omedo Odaka and Madam Aguti Stella Jane. They were accompanied by the NRM district chairman Edeket Opio Richard and lawyer Okiror,” Mukula posted.
He added that the FDC in the region is disillusioned and losing direction, with momentum shifting towards new political alignments in favor of the NRM.
“In the East, we are reigniting our political momentum,” he said.
Katakwi District holds strategic political importance as the home district of Uganda’s Vice President, Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo Epel.
The defection of high-profile opposition figures may be seen as a boost to the NRM’s consolidation efforts in the region ahead of the 2026 general elections.
However, the announcement sparked mixed reactions online. One X user, Mr. Emmanuel Olupot, questioned the significance of the repeated defections from the FDC that Mukula claims annually.
“For the last 15 years, you have been receiving big numbers of FDC members crossing to NRM from Teso every year. Why is it that FDC is still strong in Teso?” he asked.
Another prominent FDC supporter and former Aide to Dr. Kizza Besigye, Mr. Sam Mugumya, pointed out the irony of being received by someone wearing blue, the color of the FDC.
“Crossing from blue to yellow only to be received by a man in blue,” said Mugumya.
Meanwhile, FDC MP flagbearer for Kapelebyong County, Mr. Celestine Alou, took a swipe at Mukula, describing him as a “cunning money strategist” who knows how to benefit from political maneuvering.
“Mukula is a cunning money strategist. He knows when and how to strike Kaguta Museveni’s pocket. By May 2026, he will certainly have the last laugh,” Alou wrote on X.
The Forum for Democratic Change party is yet to issue an official statement regarding the defections.
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