FDC MPs Akol, Ongiertho attend NRM meeting

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When Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) MPs Anthony Akol (Kilak North) and Emmanuel Ongiertho (Jonam County) travelled to Entebbe on Friday to attend the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Caucus, whispers emerged in the corridors of Parliament.

Could they be looking to cross over to the ruling party?

The two opposition legislators said they were invited as "special guests" to the meeting by the NRM Caucus Chief Whip, Denis Hamson Obua.

NRM party chairman President Yoweri Museveni summoned the NRM Parliamentary Caucus to State House for a meeting on Friday to discuss the 2025/26 budget priorities and the proposed amendments to the UPDF Act.

▪️ Is NRM taking over northern Uganda?

Akol told reporters at Parliament that he had received an invitation from Obua.

“I don’t understand what it means to be a special guest in the NRM Caucus," he said.

"That is why you see me not dressed in yellow, but my usual clothes. So am going to attend as a special guest. That is it. 

"It is my first time and I don’t even know what time the meeting starts and what happens there,” said the FDC lawmaker.

'I will open my mind'

Akol also told reporters that he does not know whether he will be given the opportunity to speak during the meeting.

Just in case he is invited to speak, he said has done his research and will speak for the people of Uganda.

"I will see things from there. 

"Of course, when you arrive in a family, you first study the situation. But if I am given the opportunity to speak, I have done my research. 

"I have been reading, from the time I got the invitation yesterday. I will open my mouth and my mind and speak for the people of Uganda."

Akol is also the Greater North Parliamentary Group Association chairman.

While the NRM members were shuttled to State House in buses, Akol and fellow special guest Ongiertho travelled in private cars. 

Ongiertho travelled in Obua’s car while Akol travelled with Ojara Martin Mapenduzi, the Bardege-Layibi Division MP.

Obua confirmed the invitation, saying he had invited them as special guests after the two agreed to associate with the party.

“In addition to the subject matter that will be handled by the caucus, we have equally extended invitation to two special guests who are not primarily under the laws of Uganda members of the NRM but have decided to associate with NRM legally," he said.

"They are going to attend today’s caucus meeting as special guests of the Caucus who are associating with the party but not yet belonging to the party legally."

Mapenduzi officially signed an MOU with the NRM party in 2023 and was officially welcomed to the party last week during Akol’s thanksgiving celebrations presided over by the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among.

If Akol crosses over to the NRM, political analysts say it will be a big blow to FDC, which has been struggling to maintain unity among its members and ground in especially northern Uganda.