Masindi NUP chairperson crosses to NRM, withdraws his candidature

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John Wobusobozi, the National Unity Platform (NUP) vice chairperson for Masindi district, has defected to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and withdrawn from the race for district councillor for Buliima town council.

Wobusobozi, who had been nominated by the Electoral Commission in Masindi to contest on the NUP ticket, announced his withdrawal in favour of the NRM flag bearer, Innocent Awungi.

He made the announcement on January 10, 2026, during a meeting held at Kabalega Resort Hotel in Masindi, where he handed over his NUP party card to Henry Wabyona, the President’s private secretary on political and diaspora affairs.

John Wobusobozi, the National Unity Platform (NUP) vice chairman for Masindi district who crossed to NRM. (Courtesy photo)

While announcing his defection, Wobusobozi said he had not been coerced to cross to NRM but had instead realised that the ruling party has a clear plan and vision for Uganda.

He noted that since joining NUP in 2021, he had not witnessed meaningful progress, adding that party members had been working in isolation without support from the party secretariat.

"I joined the NUP party in 2021. I was the party's focal person, later I was elected as vice chairperson, but I have realised the party has no agenda. I want to see good service to people of my area, and the only party which can do this is NRM. 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," he said.

Wobusobozi also shared a letter dated December 29, 2025, addressed to the Electoral Commission, formally notifying them of his decision to withdraw his candidature.

“Pursuant to Section 121 of the Local Government Act Cap 243 as mandated, this is to notify you that I was duly nominated as NUP candidate for the above position in Masindi district, however, I have decided to withdraw my candidature with immediate effect due to personal circumstances,” he stated in a letter.

While welcoming him to the party, Wabyona said they had engaged Wobusobozi and mutually agreed on his decision to cross to NRM and step aside from the race.

He commended him for joining what he described as a winning party that understands the challenges faced by Ugandans.

“You have made the right decision to join NRM, go and mobilise your people (supporters) to vote for President Museveni and all the NRM flag bearers,” Wabyona said.

Wobusobozi said NRM has delivered several development projects in Bunyoro sub-region, citing peace, infrastructure development, tarmac roads, oil projects and the Hoima City Stadium as achievements that should be protected.

His withdrawal leaves NRM's Innocent Awungi unopposed in the Buliima town council race.

Wobusobozi becomes the fourth NUP candidate to withdraw from their respective races in the sub-region.

In Kagadi district, Buyaga East parliamentary flag bearer Brian Asingwire defected to NRM and withdrew, leaving NRM’s Steven Rurekere to face incumbent MP and independent candidate Musana Eric Achali.

In Kibale district, NUP woman Member of Parliament flag bearer Bern Kalisa Kunihira Ateenyi also withdrew and defected, leaving a three-way race involving NRM’s Noeline Basemera and independents Annette Nabanduka and Proscovia Kunihira.

In Hoima district, Bugahya County parliamentary flag bearer Allan Clifford Tugume crossed to NRM and withdrew his candidature, leaving NRM’s Pius Wakabi to contest against Sharbat Kato Kefa of the Alliance for National Transformation.