Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has accused opposition parties of prioritising internal power struggles over national interest, saying they are more focused on who becomes “number two” than offering a credible alternative to govern Uganda.
Speaking to opposition youths who had crossed to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), Tayebwa said the opposition is riddled with jealousy and intolerance, leading to harassment of its own leaders.
“The opposition is competing among themselves on who can be number two. That is why you see them harassing each other,” Tayebwa said. “When someone like Mpuuga starts growing wings, they say, ‘No, cut it. You might grow above me.’”
Tayebwa cited the case of Busiro East, where leading opposition political party the National Unity Platform fronted musician Mathias Walukagga against veteran legislator, Medard Ssegona, questioning the logic behind sidelining experienced lawmakers.
“They tell you, ‘We don’t care whether you’re a perfect legislator like Ssegona. We are going to bring a musician, someone without Senior Six, to replace him,’” he said. “If your intention is to build a party and serve the country, do you replace Ssegona with Walukagga? For God’s sake.”
He argued that such decisions expose the opposition’s true agenda, which he said is not about service delivery or policy, but blind loyalty.
“Their target is not what they can do for the country, but who can listen to them, who can be very loyal and not question anything,” Tayebwa said.
Welcoming the youths into NRM, Tayebwa said they had made the right choice by leaving what he described as a “sinking ship” to join a party that is firmly in charge of government.
“You have made the right decision by abandoning a struggling ship and joining the party that is in charge,” he said.
Using a cultural metaphor, Tayebwa stressed the importance of recognising authority and stability.
“Whoever is on top of your mother is your father. Whether you like it or not, he is the man doing the job,” he said, adding that attacking leadership without understanding could be self-defeating.
Tayebwa dismissed claims that the ruling party faces serious threats, describing opposition pressure as seasonal.
“I don’t see any real threat, apart from seasonal disturbances. They come and then they go,” he said. He added that NRM is now focused on consolidating support across the country.
“What we are doing now is a cleanup. Like Jesus in the Bible, we are looking for that one lost sheep. We already have the 99, but we want everyone to come on board and appreciate government programmes,” Tayebwa said.
The remarks come amid continued defections of opposition supporters to NRM as the ruling party intensifies mobilisation ahead of the 2026 general elections.