Bobi Wine hook catches FDC, DP legislators

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Several Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the Democratic Party (DP) Members of Parliament (MPs) have joined Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine's National Unity Platform (NUP). 

The legislators say the move is in protest of the ‘sluggish vehicle’ that has failed to overpower the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.

During the unveiling ceremony at NUP headquarters at Makerere-Kavule in Kampala city on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, they said they have been hobnobbing with top NUP party leaders in the struggle, which they believe would end President Yoweri Museveni’s 39-year rule since 1986.

“I have been a NUP member in action. A dog and a wolf look alike, but what differentiates the two is actions in public,” Paulson Luttamaguzi Ssemakula, an MP for Nakaseke South County on DP ticket, said.

John Paul Mpalanyi Lukwago (Kyotera County) said that he joined the struggle to remove the regime, which 'has frustrated Ugandans'.  

Kyotera Woman MP Fortunate Rose Nantongo of DP said Kyagulanyi and other top NUP members had wooed her for long.

Seven MPs from FDC and DP who crossed to NUP in a group photo with NUP top leaders led by Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi. (Photo by Isaac Nuwagaba)

“We got stuck with DP when they joined the NRM co-operation that derailed our paths of freedom. This compelled me to think twice and jump from a sinking ship under Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, Norbert Mao,” she stated.

Jinja Municipality West MP Timothy Lusala Batuwa (FDC) revealed that the purpose of joining NUP was not merely to win elections in 2026 but to push for the removal of a regime which has got stuck without anything new to promise Ugandans after failing to deliver the services required. 

Jinja North Division David Aga Isabirye (FDC) accused NRM of failing to usher Busoga region to prosperity, like they had constantly promised.

“Even if they bring in the Parish Development Model (PDM), Busoga has been condemned to poverty due to poor economic policies that failed the sugar industry. Due to draconic laws, it is very hard for Busoga sugarcane growers to erect their own factories,” he said.

Others who joined include the independent Joan Namutaawe (Woman MP, Masaka District) and Patrick Kayongo Nsanja for Ntenjeru South.

Kyagulanyi hints at dialogue with Museveni on conditions

Kyagulanyi said the party was ready for any form of dialogue with the Government, “We are ready for dialogue if they can release all the political prisoners. If they can allow for an open dialogue in cameras and not indoors".

"Another condition is for Museveni to accept to retire peacefully before 2026 for the country to witness a peaceful transition of power since 1962,” Kyagulanyi said.