Kibale Woman MP seat NUP flag-bearer says defected to Movement

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National Unity Platform's flag-bearer for the Kibale District Woman Member of Parliament seat, Bern Kalisa Kunihira Ateenyi, says she has defected to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Kunihira, who was nominated to contest against incumbent Noeline Basemera of the NRM, announced her defection in Kisweka village, Hoima city, at the home of Western region National NRM vice-chairperson Eng. Jonard Asiimwe on December 31, 2025.

During the meeting, Asiimwe also officially received NUP's Member of Parliament flag-bearer for Kagadi district-based Buyaga East Brian Asingwire, who also reportedly defected to NRM during President Yoweri Museveni's campaign rally in Kagadi district on December 14, 2025.

Western region National NRM vice chairman Engineer Jonard Asiimwe (left) welcoming NUP's Bern Kalisa Kunihira, who crossed to NRM. (Photo by Peter Abaanabasazi)

Brian was contesting against NRM flag-bearer Rurekere Steven and incumbent MP and independent candidate Musana Eric Achali.

While speaking as he received Kunihira, Asiimwe said the NRM leadership spoke to NUP candidates, and they agreed to cross over to NRM and withdraw from the race.

He commended all NUP candidates who have defected for their decision to join the NRM party, which he said is the winning party which understands the challenges of all Ugandans, including the youth.

Ignore self-seekers

He urged the defectors to ignore self-seekers who want to use them for their self-political interest, but instead support NRM because it has a good future for Uganda.

"You have made a right decision to join NRM, please you should not be duped to go back to NUP because it has no future, go and mobilize your people (supporters) to vote for president Museveni and all the flag bearer, NRM has a lot, this party has many rooms and I promise you am going to tell my boss that have strong lady who has joined our party from NUP" he said.

While announcing her defection, Kunihira said she was not compromised (bribed) to cross to NRM, but she realised the NRM has a good plan and vision for Uganda.

She noted that since she joined NUP in 2021, she has not seen any change, and they have been working in isolation.

"I joined the NUP party in 2021, but I have realised the party has no agenda, and we are only seeing confusion increasing. So, I decided to abandon my candidature and joined NRM because I see it is the only party that will help me to achieve my dreams," she said.

Kunihira's defection leaves three candidates in the race for the Kibale Woman Parliamentary seat: NRM's Noeline Basemera, Annete Nabanduka and Proscovia Kunihira, both independents.

Brian Asingwire also said he abandoned his candidature and decided to join NRM, support President Museveni and flag-bearers because of NRM's vision and achievements, such as road infrastructure development, among others.

"By the time I joined NUP, Bunyoro had no tarmac road, but as we talk, all the main roads of Bunyoro have been tarmacked. We are also seeing Hoima city stadium and Kabalega international airport; these are some of the things made to cross over from NUP to NRM," he said.