Over 100 opposition supporters in Yumbe cross to NRM

YUMBE - There was excitement and jubilation in Yumbe District on Wednesday as over one hundred opposition supporters, mostly from the National Unity Platform (NUP), crossed to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

The new converts were received by the Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Hon. Balaam Barugahara, and the Minister of State for Veterans Affairs, Hon. Hudah Oleru, during a youth leaders’ meeting held at the Yumbe District headquarters.

Mahad Agudipi Juma, formerly the NUP head in Yumbe and a 2021 candidate on the same ticket, led the group of defectors.

He announced that they would officially hand over NUP items, including berets and party materials, to NRM top leadership during President Museveni’s rally in Yumbe.

“It was our poor ideology that led us to the opposition,” Juma said. “In 2015, I was convinced by friends that the government was responsible for my unemployment.
But after learning about the NRM’s values of peace, patriotism, and economic transformation, I realised it’s better to advocate for service delivery from within the ruling party.”

Rajabu Dramadri, a resident of Lodonga sub-county, said his decision to join NRM was guided by the party’s vision under President Museveni.

“I grew up during his regime, benefited from Universal Primary and Secondary Education, and later got employed,” he explained.

“At one point, I was misled to believe the government had failed us, but after reflecting, I saw how much it had done for me. I realised poverty is not caused by the government but by failing to use available programs.”

He added that peace under Museveni’s leadership inspired him to support the government. “I have never seen war in my lifetime. That means the government is doing something right,” he said.

Ahmed Awadifo, another defector, noted that his childhood was marked by insurgency, but it was the NRM government that restored peace, allowing children like him to go to school and live freely.

Minister calls for unity, accountability

While welcoming the new supporters, Minister Barugahara congratulated them for choosing peace and progress over confrontation. He urged them to fully participate in government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) to improve their livelihoods.

“Do not hate those with different political views,” he advised. “Winning people over is not about money but about how we talk to them. Let’s persuade others peacefully.”

He challenged the youth to hold their leaders accountable for government funds, especially PDM resources.

“If a leader steals money, he should be arrested, and his property sold to recover it,” Barugahara stressed.

He revealed that although Yumbe District had received sh16b under PDM, much of it had been misdirected to the rich instead of the poor.

“PDM is for the poor, to uplift their lives through small enterprises, not for people already on payroll,” he said.

Barugahara also expressed concern that only sh200m out of sh2b lent to youth groups under the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP) had been repaid.

He urged the youth to change their attitude and treat the funds as revolving loans meant to benefit others.

Balaam Barugahara (centre in checked shirt) the Minister of State for youth and children affairs and minister Hudah Olero (yellow dress) the minister for state for veteran affairs pose for a picture with some of the youth that joined the Natioanl Resistance Movement from the opposition political parties. This was during during a minister Barugahara’s Youth Wake Up Call Mobilisation and Accountability tours in West Nile. This was at Yumbe district offices on October 15, 2025. (Credit: Lawrence Mulondo)

Youth leaders demand skilling hub

During the meeting, Yumbe District Youth Chairperson Mahad Azabo Kassimu appealed to government to construct a presidential skilling hub in the district to cater for the growing number of young people seeking practical skills.

“Yumbe gets only 26 training slots a year, yet we have over one million people, 73% of them youth,” he said. “A local hub would serve Yumbe, Terego, and Koboko, helping more young people access skills for self-employment.”

He also pledged to mobilise youth and boda boda riders to secure over 99% of votes for President Museveni in the next election, noting that low voter turnout had been their biggest challenge.

Minister Hudah Oleru emphasised that Yumbe’s biggest challenge was poor youth leadership and a negative mindset toward government support.

“The attitude here has been that government money is a handout. That is wrong,” she said.

“Youth must treat these funds responsibly and use them to build their future.”

She revealed that sh1.3b had been allocated to compensate former child soldiers under the Uganda National Liberation Front (UNLF II) who missed out on education benefits. “These young people were promised support but never received it. Government has now appropriated money to correct that,” she said.

Accountability, security concerns

Barugahara also expressed disappointment that Yumbe district technocrats, including the Chief Administrative Officer, District Internal Security Officer, and Resident District Commissioner, failed to attend his accountability rally.

“I was disappointed that even the District Police Commander and Regional Police Commander were absent and didn’t provide security. Thankfully, the army stepped in and protected the people,” he said.

The minister commended the youth for their unity and passion for development, urging them to continue supporting the NRM, President Museveni, and Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

“The future of Yumbe is in your hands,” he said. “Use peace to work, hold leaders accountable, and transform your district.”