You are replaceable, FDC's Amuriat tells Movement defector Nsibambi

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The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party president, Patrick Amuriat Oboi, says Yusuf Nsibambi is replaceable. Amuriat describes Nsibambi’s decision to join the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) as both disappointing and shocking, but not enough to weaken the opposition party.

Nsibambi, the former Mawokota South Member of Parliament and FDC chief whip in Parliament, on February 18, 2026, defected to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, citing what he terms as frustration with Opposition politics and a desire to contribute to national development.

“While we acknowledge Nsibambi's contributions in Parliament, he is replaceable, and FDC will move on. FDC is not built on individuals but rather on ideology, structures and the commitment of members across the country,” Amuriat said.

However, Amuriat says Nsibambi's criticism of FDC is “exaggerated and politically motivated,” adding that the Opposition party will instead focus on recruiting ideologically committed members and vetting future leaders for consistency.

According to Amuriat, FDC had noticed “uncomfortable tendencies” in Nsibambi's behaviour since last year, before the 2026 elections.

“He made us uncomfortable in our party arrangements last year in trying to link us to NRM engagements in secret that he later attended individually when he accepted to meet President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at State House recently,” Oboi, addressing the media over Nsibambi’s decision, said on February 18, 2026, at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, Kampala.

Nsibambi, who lost the Mawokota South parliamentary seat to NRM's Suzan Nakawuki, had been facing disciplinary action for allegedly meeting President Museveni without party authorisation.

He claimed his decision to join NRM was driven by a desire to serve the people more effectively, stating, “I have seen the light, quit Opposition, FDC for NRM deployment”.

The defection has sparked debate, with FDC founder member Dr Kizza Besigye, before his arrest, likening Nsibambi to a historical figure who surrendered when the going got tough during the NRA bush war. FDC has today, February 19, appointed Soroti District Woman Member of Parliament Anna Adeke Ebaju the new Chief Whip of the party in Parliament.

The party also criticised Nsibambi for what they called “castigating” FDC as he exited, including claims that the party collapsed after former Deputy Treasurer General Anita Among left.

“Nsibambi was already facing a looming disciplinary process over his alleged unauthorised engagement with President Museveni at State House, without informing or seeking clearance from the leadership, which was being handled under Article 12 of the FDC Constitution,” he insisted.

Amuriat compared Nsibambi’s exit to earlier defections, arguing that the party has endured similar political blows since its formation.