Over 80 NUP members defect to NRM

#ElectionsWatch2021|NRM|NUP

Over 80 National Unity Platform (NUP) youth leaders from various districts across West Nile have defected to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party. 

The youth from the districts of Arua, Madi-Okollo, Maracha, Koboko, Yumbe and Arua city were received by Geoffrey Akena, an NRM mobiliser, during a function in Oluko ward, Arua city recently. 

Akena congratulated the defectors on the wise decision they made in the best interest of their future and those of their loved ones. 

"We should not cause the downfall of our country by following some self-centred leaders who have noagenda for Uganda," Akena said.

Ronny Amatre, the NUP coordinator for Arua city, said the NRM presidential candidate, President Yoweri Museveni, is willing to work with the youth, but there are people who block them from accessing him. 

He appealed to the youth to work with the President for the betterment of their future. "You cannot milk a cow when you are not in the kraal," Amatre said. 

He added that there are some selfish leaders who divert projects meant for the youth and complain of the bureaucracy in getting Government projects such as vocational skills training institutes. 

"Let us join hands and work with the President. He has a lot of things in stock for us the youth. I do not know how many of you benefited from Operation Wealth Creation, but the Government has invested in a lot of money,'' Amatre said.

Bosco Odochi Olaa, the greater northern Uganda NRM coordinator, said the President has directed him to deal with the youth directly because of the bureaucracy in the government structure.

He said President Museveni is aware that the youth are fast in acting out of excitement without thinking critically. Olaa also blamed the youth MPs for not doing enough to address the plight of the youth. 

Shaba Majjubu, the NUP flagbearer for Kenya ward, who also defected to NRM, said: "I defected after being approached and after the President's pronouncement on the issues of the youth during his recent campaign meetings in the area." 

He said financial challenges and pressure from his father and other relatives forced him to quit NUP as he saw no future in their plans. 

However, Sadad Salim, the NUP co-ordinator for Arua city, who is also the flag-bearer for Arua Central MP, said most of the alleged defectors are just looking for money. 

He said of all the so-called NUP defectors, only one person has the authentic party card. He said this was a stage-managed defection, arguing that their genuine supporters are intact.