Over 15 parliamentary opposition candidates defect to NRM ahead of 2026 general elections.

On Wednesday 31^st December 2026, over 15 parliamentary opposition candidates defected to National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, received by the NRM Deputy Secretary General Rose Namayanja, together with NRM Director of Information and Publicity Emmanuel Dombo and other NRM top officials.

Many of the defectors during a press conference were introduced to the officials by The Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa at the NRM headquarters at Plot 10, Kyadondo. Tayebwa with majority from the National Unity Platform (NUP) and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).following a series of dialogues and conviction of the milestones NRM has achieved and plan to achieve. 

The defectors pledged a renewd commitment to mobilize for the NRM flag bearer Museveni Kaguta Museveni and other NRM candidates in their respective constituencies.

One of the defector named Yasin Mabaale from Bunyole West from FDC said that after being convinced that the only way to solve community challenges was through being within the current government, he made the decision to belong to NRM to serve the people better.

Deputy Speaker Tayebwa said that the bold move by defector was as a result of series of engagement.

“We have been engaging these people for several months and decided voluntarily and dialogue-driven, and we shall continue to engage more. There is a rumour that we buy people. These are individuals with whom we have had deeper conversations. It is a process” he said

The NRM Deputy Secretary General Rose Namayanja Nsereko while welcoming  the new entrants to NRM said that, “When you come, we become one. We work together not just for NRM, but for the good of the country. Your decision will help mobilise communities to support President Museveni and the NRM.”

Meanwhile, The NRM Director of Information and Publicity Emmanuel Dombo said that “There is free entry and exit in our bus. Once you join, you have equal rights and responsibilities.”

Among the defector from FDC, they include: Yasin Mabaale -Bunyole West and Edwin Namanya from Bushenyi–Ishaka, Emmanuel Olebo -Kibale County, Pallisa, Martin Owako -Pallisa County, Yokania Mukeke-Bunyole East, Moses Balikowa -Bunya South

From NUP they include: Dennis Onyum (Kyoga County), Walter Okot (Aswa County) and Godfrey Oryem (Omoro), David Okullu (Oyam North), Eric Mukomba (Butebo), Joseph Kanto Ochen (Lamwo County), Hillary Tumuhimbise (Rujumbura), Charles Odongo (Kwania North