Two MPs cross to Muntu's party

Politics

Two Members of Parliament (MPs) have offcially joined the opposition political party, Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), led by Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu.

Independent Ntungamo Municipality MP Gerald Karuhanga and Jinja East MP Paul Mwiru, who, until recently was a member of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), joined ANT.

The law allows MPs to defect to other parties in the election year, without losing their seats.

The two were unveiled by the ANT presidential flag-bearer, Mugisha Muntu at an event held at the party headquarters on Buganda Road in Kampala.

Speaking to the press, Mwiru, who once served as the FDC deputy spokesperson, said he chose ANT because it is the party that can see the country getting on the right track.

"Whatever happened in FDC is now in the past. I wish them well as an organisation and I am ready to work with them. It is only change of strategy. We have a brand as ANT and we would like to join forces to take power and end dictatorship," Mwiru said.

Asked about his relationship with the People Power Movement and its leader ‘Bobi Wine' (Robert Kyagulanyi), Mwiru said they are in the same struggle.

"People Power is not a political party, it is a movement. So, by joining ANT it does not sever my relationship with People Power or any other people involved in the struggle. We are going to work together," Mwiru said.

Karuhanga said he was excited to finally join a party whose foundation constitutes the core values of a good nation.

"If there is any historical moment I have anxiously waited in my life, then it is joining this party. I joined gladly and I appeal to young Ugandans not to seat back, but join forces to end the suffering inflicted on us by this regime," Karuhanga said.

"It gives me great joy that I am finally joining a party that believes and practices the values I cherish: honesty, integrity, transparency, zero tolerance to corruption, equity and justice," he said.

Muntu who was once the president of FDC, before he founded ANT revealed that the coming of two MPs on board is just the beginning" of a long journey ahead.

"I know the battle is tough, but it is possible. They have joined the party at a time when it is much needed to have people who can strongly work towards liberating this country," Muntu said.

He urged Ugandans and political aspirants who have on various occasions been politically bought off to have values that they stand for.

Muntu said the party has started the struggle, but acknowledges that there are those who will fall off along the away.

He said ANT is a "place for those with deeply rooted values" and are bold enough to speak truth to power.

The acting national co-ordinator for ANT, Alice Alaso cautioned the two MPs that there is a lot to do, including mobilisation, to ensure the party delivers the change in governance.

"It gives us big joy to witness your homecoming. We are so excited to have you here. You have been part and parcel of this process," Alaso said.