FDC downplays defections as Madi-Okollo Movement welcomes Opposition converts

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MADI OKOLLO - Madi-Okollo district National Resistance Movement (NRM) party office has officially welcomed the recent Opposition defectors who were introduced in the party.

First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs Janet Museveni, on November 5, 2025, welcomed a group of former Opposition members from Madi-Okollo who renounced their affiliation to other political parties and officially joined the Movement Party.

The delegation was introduced to the First Lady by Madi-Okollo Woman Member of Parliament, Joanne Okia Aniku, at State House, Nakasero in Kampala city.

The team included prominent Opposition figures:  former Commissioner of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) for Northern Uganda Al-hajji Abdul-Hakim Molli,  former FDC parliamentary candidate Victor Wadri and several former mobilisers and district executives from both the FDC and the National Unity Platform (NUP).

The First Lady commended the group for what she described as a courageous and patriotic decision to unite under the NRM banner.

The latest defections follow an earlier defection to the Movement by FDC secretary for Arua city, Davies Edema.

The group of over 20 FDC and NUP mobilisers were officially welcomed to NRM during a joint manifesto launch by the district NRM parliamentary flag-bearers at Rigbo sub-county headquarters on Saturday, November 15, 2025.

Homecoming

Molli, who was seen as one of the few stalwarts of FDC in the region, described his return to NRM as a homecoming after serving FDC for 25 years.

Molli cited lack of cohesion and proper leadership as the reason for his defection, as he pledged to fully mobilise for President Yoweri Museveni and all NRM flag-bearers in the district.

“I started active politics in 1988 as an NRM youth mobiliser and served NRM for 12 years up to 2000 when I joined Reform Agenda, now FDC, and I served the Opposition for 25 years. I know my coming home is tremendous because nobody expects me to cross at this time. I have come back to my party, NRM, because we thought the Opposition was a form of alternative government, but looking at what is happening with them, it is only right that I come back home because politics is all about interest, and now is the time for me to serve my people of Madi-Okollo,” Molli said.

Molli denied being lured into NRM with money, saying he never received any motivation from anyone.

Likewise, Anguzu, who also defected, said he has not seen any future for the youths with the Opposition, as NRM achievements have been tangible in the district.

“When I attended the President’s rally last month, I knew that development was bound to come to Madi Okollo, and I felt that as a youth we need to be part of the development since my former party NUP, has no plans for the youth,” Anguzu said.

The district NRM chairperson for Madi Okollo David Agbara. (Credit: Robert Adiga)

Madi Okollo district NRM chairperson David Agbara said they are going to reap from the mobilisation skills of the senior Opposition figures who have been assigned responsibilities, as they have understood the dynamics of the current politics.

“When you look at people like Molli, this was a commissioner in FDC, and his presence alone will motivate, and his mobilisation skills will drive the party far. We have already started using them to rally support for the President and other flag-bearers in the district,” Agbara said.

New chapter

Madi Okollo Woman MP Joanne Okia Aniku said the return of former Opposition members marks a new chapter for the politics of Madi-Okollo District saying their presence will consolidate the win for the president and other NRM flag-bearers.

“The coming of this group is a plus for the party because when I won the election in 2021. Two sub-counties were predominantly Opposition, and we brought in many government programmes. Right now, we have conquered the sub-counties with a few remaining Opposition elements now coming to join the mighty party. We expect the President to win in Madi-Okollo by over 90 percent,” Joan Okia said.

No worries

However, the officials from Forum for Democratic Change have denied that these defections will affect the party’s performance in the forthcoming 2026 General Election in the region.

Arua Central Division FDC flag-bearer Khemis Muzaid says FDC is bigger than an individual and that the absence of defectors has not been felt.

Muzaid said the few members who have left FDC have no footprints on the ground in terms of mobilising for the party.

“There is nothing like big fish in the party, and the rally on Saturday can attest to that, and some of the people have even failed to win elective positions in their own villages. So, we are not puzzled," Muzaid said.

Likewise, the FDC deputy president for northern Uganda, Hassan Kaps Fungaro, said the party received over 10 converts from NRM during their rally in Arua city as he castigated the departed members for 'tying a big rope around their necks'.