Over 300 opposition cross to NRM

Over 300 members from opposition parties have crossed to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party in Dokolo district.

The Member of Parliament for Dokolo North constituency Paul Amoru Omiat, together with the NRM district administrative secretary John Bosco Otoke said were from strongholds of the opposition.

Agwat, Amwoma, and Okwalongwen sub-counties are strongholds of Uganda People's Congress (UPC) and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) parties.

This becomes the second group of opposition supporters' crossing to the NRM in Dokolo after 200 crossed earlier this year in April.

According to Otoke, out of the 350 members that crossed to NRM, 146 were from FDC AND 203 Otoke said that of the 350 members who crossed to NRM party, 146 were from FDC, 203 crossed from UPC.

"All those who joined the ruling party according to Otoke were led by some of their different key party leaders," Otoke said

Otoke revealed that the NRM party Secretariat was working to have party cards and T-shirts ready soonest for the new converts.

He said all the details of those who had crossed to NRM had been captured and they will be expected to participate in the forthcoming NRM party primaries.

"Those of you who have now crossed are already members of the NRM party. You will be free to contest and elect during the forthcoming party structure and primary elections", Otoke said.

Opposition party leaders respond

The chairperson of the UPC party in Dokolo district, Angelous Ocen Ogwal claimed that those who had crossed to the NRM party were looking for money but were still going to come back to their party.

"The UPC party in Dokolo is going to remain strong. We are in the planning process on how to win more positions in the 2021 general elections," Ocen said

Meanwhile, the chairperson of the FDC party in Dokolo district, Julius Peter Okello Awany aka Acan pi Ocan refuted the claims that many FDC party members had crossed to NRM.

Okello said the NRM party was looking for ways to weaken them by convincing some of their members to cross to their party.

Why opposition members crossed to NRM

Beleo Odur who crossed from UPC said UPC is only known at the national level but has no presence at the grassroots. That is why I have decided to move to the NRM party.

Hellen Auma who crossed from said she had stayed in the party for a long time and yet top leaders didn't care about their existence. 

"The top leaders have overplayed on our minds and have never fulfilled any of their promises and yet NRM leaders are willing to help us," she said

Isaac Omara the speaker of Agwata Sub County said joining NRM was going to help him develop his political carrier.