NUP parliamentary candidate in Kagadi defects to NRM

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The National Unity Platform (NUP) party candidate for Buyaga East parliamentary seat in Kagadi district has defected to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.

Brian Asingwire said on Friday (December 13) that he had “seen the light” of the NRM and bowed out of the race for the ruling party's candidate, Stephen Twesige.

This happened at a campaign rally of NRM presidential candidate and the incumbent, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, at Muhorro BCS Playground in Kagadi.

“As the NUP district chairperson and [parliamentary] flagbearer, I withdraw. I have been in NUP for six years, working as a mobiliser. I was also the NUP parliamentary flag bearer in the last general election,” said Asingwire.

He was introduced by the Speaker of Parliament and NRM second national vice-chairperson (female), Anita Among.

“He has been standing in Buyaga East, and he says because of what you have done in this area, he has now seen the light and left the race for NRM,” Among, who is also the Bukedea Woman MP, told the President.

She was flanked by Asingwire on the lectern, who was wearing a red beret, which is NUP’s signature headgear.

Museveni, who is seeking re-election for a seventh term next year, later took to X, formerly Twitter, to welcome Asingwire.

“I welcome my son Asingwire Brian, the Buyaga East Constituency NUP flag bearer who has officially stepped down from the race and crossed to the NRM,” he said.

“The NRM message cannot be hidden, the Bible in Matthew Chapter 5 verse 15 says, ‘Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house'.”

'NRM stands for unity'

Earlier, Museveni presented the NRM manifesto for the 2026 general election to the large gathering of NRM supporters at the campaign rally venue.

He outlined the seven contributions the NRM has made to Uganda over the last 40 years and thanked the religious leaders for working together to unite the people.

He also used the event to caution Ugandans against sectarianism, saying it adds nothing to national development.

“I am happy to find religious leaders in Kagadi working together. What disgusts me is sectarianism based on religion or tribe, and the undermining of women. NRM stands for unity. We follow the teaching of the parable of the Good Samaritan—service without discrimination or sectarianism."

The President said NRM rejected sectarian politics and instead built strong institutions such as the army and the Police, which brought peace, their first major contribution to Uganda.

He also emphasised wealth creation, urging those with small land to use intensive farming through the four-acre model, while those with large land to focus on tea, ranching and cotton.

'I am a herdsman'

Museveni also spoke about jobs.

“Government jobs are only 480,000, yet we are about 50 million people,” he said, adding that the already established factories in the country are employing 1.3 million people.

He reminded the people of Kagadi that talent and skills create employment.

“Before colonial administration jobs, our people relied on their skills. Every community had its own skills and talents. We had blacksmiths, tailors, carpenters, and many others. As for me, my main skill is cattle keeping; I am a herdsman."

The NRM presidential candidate pledged to establish another skilling hub in southern Bunyoro, since the one in Masindi is very far.