The NUP coordinator for East Acholi has accused the ruling NRM of stage-managing mass defections in the Acholi sub-region.
This follows reports of a recent wave of alleged defections, with claims that over 600 NUP members had crossed over to join the ruling party.
However, Charles Onen, the NUP Coordinator for East Acholi, dismissed the figures as fabricated and misleading, saying the NRM leaders had paraded their own members, ghetto youths, and female market vendors as defectors to impress their party president.
Onen said that while NRM claims that close to 600 NUP supporters defected, his party’s records show that only six genuine NUP members crossed over to the NRM from East Acholi.
Onen further appealed to voters to embrace political change, saying that while the incumbent leadership has done commendable work, it is now “tired and should give room for energetic leaders to take over.”
Samuel Oyet Agwani, the NRM spokesperson for the Acholi sub-region, told URN that the defections were genuine and reflected growing support for the ruling party.
According to Agwani, during President Yoweri Museveni’s campaign for the 2026 general elections, about 400 opposition members in Amuru and 300 members in Nwoya defected to the NRM.
He added that another 292 NUP members and 613 FDC members from Gulu City also joined the ruling party during the same period.
Agwani challenged the NUP leadership to re-strategize and attract more members since the political ground is level.
He claimed that in Amuru District, only two opposition members remain active, which he said demonstrates the growing strength and popularity of the NRM.
Agwani also explained that the NRM has a structured system for registering new members and verifying defectors. He noted that every defector is required to present their former party card before being registered into the NRM database.
He dismissed NUP’s accusations as baseless, challenging them to identify a single fake defector so that the NRM can prove them wrong with facts.
NUP leaders say despite the alleged defections, they maintain a strong presence with 79 candidates across Kitgum, Lamwo, Agago, and Pader districts vying for various elective positions in the upcoming 2026 general elections.
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