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Odo Tayebwa crossed from FDC to NRM
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On Sunday last week, Former Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality MP Odo Tayebwa officially announced his switch from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) to the National Resistance Movement (NRM). He was at a rally to launch St. Karoli Kwanga Kigarama Catholic Parish in Bitereko sub-county, Mitooma district. The event included a thanksgiving Mass for Tayebwa’s father, Mzee Daudi Bangirana. “I have now joined NRM fully and will work with the party. I am now yellow,” Tayebwa said before being handed a yellow party T-shirt. He was later introduced to President Yoweri Museveni by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa.
As he gave the speech, Odo criticized FDC leaders for dividing the party into Katonga and Najjanakumbi factions.
However, FDC spokesperson Charles Kikonyogo said Tayebwa’s departure was not surprising.
“His crossing has not surprised us because he was already outside our house on the verandah and was with the Katonga group. He chose to stay on the verandah and has finally left. We wish him the best,” Kikonyogo said.
Guma Gumisiriza, the district FDC chairperson, noted that while Odo has left, many, especially the youth, are joining the Opposition due to tough conditions in the country. Guma remarked that Odo, who opposed the NRM government for 22 years, must have had difficulty crossing over.
Dennis Twahika, a political mobilizer in Bushenyi, said, “Odo has paved the way for us because he has been a stumbling block to many.” Joseph Begumanya, a bodaboda rider, added, “I am just waiting to hear the language that Odo is going to speak on radio talk shows.”
Odo Tayebwa
Odo Tayebwa was once a prominent figure in Bushenyi politics and a loyal supporter of Dr. Kiiza Besigye. He gained attention in the 1990s while working in the taxi business on the Ishaka-Bushenyi-Mbarara route, where he mobilized drivers to stand up for their rights. He entered mainstream politics as a councillor for Bushenyi/Ishaka town council and was elected speaker of the town council.
He became influential in Bushenyi through political radio talk shows and ran for the parliamentary seat of Bushenyi/Ishaka Municipality on the FDC ticket in the 2011 election. He was initially defeated by Nasser Bassajjabalaba of the NRM but won a by-election in 2012 after challenging Bassajjabalaba’s victory. He lost the subsequent election to the late Gordon Arinda.
