Yusuf Nsibambi, the outgoing Mawokota South MP, says he has discovered that Museveni is a good leader, after he defected from the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Nsibambi, a seasoned politician and lawyer, cited frustration with opposition politics as the reason for his move.
“When we were in FDC, we thought we could deliver on the side of defiance, but it was all in vain,” he said at the NRM secretariat where he officially defected from opposition to NRM.
“Our numbers keep falling, and the leadership is not straight, so I have decided to join NRM for more service delivery.”
He also mentioned that he realized there was “no proper direction within the opposition” and believes engaging with the ruling establishment offers a more constructive path for peace and national unity.
“There is no proper direction, we have never sat as opposition parties to harmonise positions on key national issues. Decisions are taken without consultation, and that confusion has affected our credibility before the electorate,” he said.
“You cannot build a political programme on confusion. Instead of presenting development programmes and clear budgets to the people, the focus shifted to defiance without coordination.”
He also said Ugandans “have a duty and responsibility to work harmoniously in a peaceful manner,” adding that “We need tranquility for development. Chaos will not help our country.”
Kampala Lord Mayor and People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) leader Erias Lukwago criticized Nsibambi, saying, “The right to join a political party of one’s choice is guaranteed under the law, but it’s immoral and reprehensible for you, Nsibambi Yusuf, to leverage the plight of political prisoners for your adventures and self-aggrandisement.”
“When I talked with President Museveni, I realised he is a good person who listens to everyone. That is not what I experienced on the Opposition side… About 150 of my supporters are ready to join NRM. They are tired of fights and want talks,” Yusuf Nsibambi
In the previous election cycle, another FDC top leader Joyce Ssebugwawo crossed to NRM and was appointed minister – and party members revealed that the NRM had infiltrated the opposition party so much, as reported Here and There.
There had also been reports that Museveni gave money to FDC for their campaigns. (See Details Here and There).
