First Lady Janet Museveni welcomes former opposition members from Madi-Okollo

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The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs Janet Museveni, has welcomed a group of former opposition members from Madi-Okollo District who have renounced their former affiliations and officially joined the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Party.

The delegation, introduced by Madi-Okollo Woman Member of Parliament, Joanne Okia, was received by Mrs Museveni at State House Nakasero on Wednesday.

The team included prominent former opposition figures such as Abdul-Hakim Molli, a former Commissioner of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC); Victor Wadri, a former FDC parliamentary candidate; and several former mobilizers and district executives from both the FDC and the National Unity Platform (NUP).

They pledged their loyalty and commitment to the NRM’s vision of peace, unity, and socio-economic transformation championed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

In her remarks, the First Lady commended the group for what she described as a courageous and patriotic decision to unite under the NRM banner, calling it a sign of growing maturity and reconciliation in Uganda’s political landscape.

“All leaders who love Uganda and care to see it become better must really stretch out and bring people together,” Mrs Museveni said. “God wants us to be united as one people in one homeland so that we may all enjoy freedom, peace, and prosperity.”

A release from her office states that Mrs Museveni reminded the group that the NRM fought a five-year liberation war to end the politics of division and hatred among Ugandans.

“When I see you choosing to leave the opposition and join the NRM, I thank God so much and commend Mrs Joanne Okia for her leadership,” she said. “This is what all leaders ought to do — to ensure that the children of Uganda find a better and peaceful country than we found, so that people would never have to fight again, but instead leave together in peace.”

Mrs. Museveni emphasised that unity and peace form the foundation of Uganda’s progress, adding that many African nations have been held back by division and tribal politics.

“Africa has remained backward because, during election time, everything that has been built in peaceful times gets destroyed,” she said. “Then after elections are done, the new government has to start from scratch. Africa has remained in that vicious cycle for all these years - building, but only to come back and destroy the very assets that have been built," she stated.

“We must learn that supporting a good government like the NRM is not doing anyone a favour — it is doing a favour for ourselves, our families, and our country,” she added.

The First Lady encouraged the group to actively mobilise support for the NRM ahead of the January 2026 general elections and to spread the message of peace, unity, and patriotism in their communities.

“Go back and mobilise those you left behind,” she urged. “Let Madi-Okollo shine yellow. Let us build a Uganda where our children and grandchildren will never have to go to the bush again.”

On behalf of the converts, Victor Wadri commended the NRM for its inclusive leadership and the steady transformation it has brought to the country.

 “We have come to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the NRM and to present a group of converts who have chosen to return home,” he said. “We believe true national progress can only be achieved under the visionary leadership of President Museveni.”

Haji Abdul-Hakim Molli, the former FDC Electoral Affairs Commissioner, shared his personal journey of reconciliation, describing his return to the NRM as a homecoming.

“I joined the opposition out of frustration after a business loss, but deep down I remained an NRM son,” he said. “After reflection and encouragement from my colleagues, I have decided to return home as a prodigal son.”

Okia thanked the First Lady for her mentorship and guidance, noting that the return of former opposition members marks a new chapter for the politics of Madi-Okollo District.

“Maama, these are mainly young people who were misled by opposition propaganda. They were radicalised, but now they have seen the truth and are back home. We are working to ensure that Madi-Okollo becomes 100 percent NRM,” she pledged.