FDC appoints Adeke as new chief whip following Nsibambi defection

_______________

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has officially appointed Soroti Woman Member of Parliament Anne Adeke Ebaju as its new Chief Whip in Parliament, replacing Mawokota South MP Yusuf Nsibambi, who recently crossed to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

The changes were communicated in an official letter addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, and signed by the FDC secretary general, Nathan Nandala Mafabi. The letter, dated March 16, indicated that the decision takes immediate effect.

“The Party hereby appoints Hon. Anne Adeke Ebaju as the Party Whip of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) to replace Hon. Yusuf Nsibambi. The appointment takes immediate effect,” reads part of the letter.

The communication formally notified Parliament of a significant shift in FDC’s parliamentary leadership, coming in the wake of Nsibambi’s controversial defection to the NRM.

His move has stirred debate within political circles, with FDC leaders describing it as a betrayal of the party’s core principles.

Nsibambi’s departure created a vacancy in one of the most influential opposition roles in Parliament, prompting the party to act swiftly in naming a replacement.

Ebaju, a seasoned legislator representing Soroti City, is widely viewed within party ranks as a capable and strategic leader expected to revitalise coordination within the FDC parliamentary caucus.

Party insiders say her appointment reflects both her experience and her growing influence within FDC structures at a time when the party is grappling with internal tensions and external political pressure.

After announcing the changes, Speaker Among described Nsibambi as “a very brilliant man” and dismissed claims that his decision to join the ruling party was ill-considered.

“He is not confused,” Among said, in remarks that appeared to defend Nsibambi’s political judgment even as reactions to his defection remain mixed across the political divide.

Nsibambi’s shift adds to a growing list of opposition politicians who have crossed to the NRM in recent years.

For the FDC, Ebaju’s appointment signals both continuity and a strategic reset, as the party seeks to maintain its effectiveness in Parliament despite internal disagreements and defections.

The latest development also comes against the backdrop of earlier leadership changes within the party. In August 2023, FDC replaced Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda as chief whip, appointing Nsibambi in his place, a decision that at the time underscored shifting power dynamics within the party.

Observers say Ebaju now faces the immediate task of stabilising the party’s parliamentary wing while strengthening opposition oversight in an increasingly competitive political environment.

All eyes will be on her leadership as she steps into the role at a critical moment for the party and Uganda’s broader opposition landscape.