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NUP party president Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi welcoming Timothy Lusala Batuwa on FDC ticket (Jinja Municipality West) at Makerere Kavule. (Photo by Milton Niinga)
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By Milton Niinga
Kampala,
Seven opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), the Democratic Party (DP), and independents have officially joined the National Unity Platform (NUP) in a strategic move to denounce what they described as “sluggish political vehicles” that have failed to unseat the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.
The legislators were unveiled at a press briefing held at the NUP headquarters in Makerere–Kavule, Kampala, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. They revealed that they had been working closely with senior NUP leaders, expressing belief that the party offers a stronger platform to challenge President Yoweri Museveni’s 39-year rule. “I have been a NUP member in action. A dog and a wolf may look alike, but their actions set them apart,” said Paulson Luttamaguzi Ssemakula, MP for Nakaseke South County, previously elected on a DP ticket.
NUP party president Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi welcoming DP's Nakaseke South MP Luttamaguzi Ssemakula at Makerere Kavule offices in Kampala. (Photo by Milton Niinga)
Luttamaguzi added that NUP is prepared to replace all NRM MPs who supported the UPDF Amendment Bill, which allows for civilians to be tried in military courts. “We demonstrated our support for civilian rule, as earlier upheld by the Supreme Court. But NRM MPs overturned that decision, as if they were superior to the judiciary,” he said.
Joining the protest for change
John Paul Mpalanyi Lukwago, MP for Kyotera County, said his decision to join NUP was driven by a desire to end what he termed a "dictatorial regime" that has perpetuated poverty, unemployment, and deteriorating social services across the country.
“I’m not afraid to risk my life for my country. I’ve joined the protest vote, and I’ll protect it to ensure victory in 2026,” he declared.
Seven MPs from FDC, DP parties and independent candidates crossed to NUP party in ag roup picture with top leaders led by Robert Kyagulanyi. (Photo by Milton Niinga)
Fortunate Rose Nantongo, the Kyotera District Woman MP (DP), revealed that she had been courted by Kyagulanyi and other NUP leaders for a long time and finally decided to switch after growing disillusioned with DP's cooperation with NRM. “We got stuck when DP entered a cooperation agreement with NRM, which derailed our fight for freedom. I chose to jump off a sinking ship under Justice Minister Norbert Mao,” she said.
Timothy Lusala Batuwa, MP for Jinja Municipality West (FDC), said his motivation to join NUP was not solely about winning elections in 2026 but to participate in the broader mission to end what he described as a stagnant regime with no meaningful future for Ugandans.
“Ugandans are living like they are in a war zone. Businesses are collapsing under heavy taxation, corruption is rampant, and unemployment is overwhelming, especially for graduates,” he noted.
David Aga Isabirye, MP for Jinja North Division (FDC), criticized the government for failing the Busoga sub-region, saying it remains trapped in poverty due to corrupt governance and poor economic policies.
“Even the Parish Development Model (PDM) won’t help. Sugarcane farmers can’t build their own factories because of exploitative regulations that favor groups like the Madhvani conglomerate,” he stated.
He called for a complete overhaul of the political system, beginning with President Museveni, to achieve a fairer distribution of wealth and opportunity. “Young people must step into politics and choose visionary leadership fit for the 21st century. Don't entrust your future to leaders past their productive age,” he said, comparing the situation to the recent election of Pope Leo XIV, a younger figure.
NUP leaders who attended the event to welcome defectors from FDC and DP expressed joy at Makerere Kavule in Kampala. (Photo by Niinga Milton)
Other New NUP Members Include:
Joan Namutaawe – Woman MP, Masaka District (Independent)
Patrick Kayongo Nsanja – MP, Ntenjeru South
Emmanuel Matovu Magoola – Parliamentary hopeful for Busiro East, aiming to unseat Medard Lubega Ssegona
Kyagulanyi open to dialogue under conditions
Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi, the NUP president, welcomed the new members and reiterated that the party remains open to dialogue — but only under specific conditions.
“We are ready for dialogue if all political prisoners are released, if discussions are held openly with full transparency, and if President Museveni agrees to retire before 2026 to allow Uganda its first peaceful transition of power since independence,” Kyagulanyi said.
He emphasized that the growing political momentum is a call to action for all Ugandans to resist bad governance and work toward a middle-income future.
“What we are witnessing today must fuel our fight against misrule and the broken systems that have held back this country for decades,” he concluded.
Torch Media Africa
