Another member of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) has defected to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Benjamin Emuk, who had earlier expressed interest in contesting for the Bukedea County parliamentary seat under NUP, officially announced his defection, saying the opposition party lacked clear direction and internal cohesion.
Speaking to journalists ahead of President Museveni’s visit to Bukedea District, Emuk introduced himself as the “former NUP flag bearer” for Bukedea County, declaring full allegiance to the NRM.
“I should actually say former NUP flag bearer for Bukedea County. I do not know how to start this, but I say former because I have officially crossed to the mighty party, the NRM,” Emuk declared.
He explained that his decision stemmed from dissatisfaction with NUP’s internal operations and what he described as an absence of a consistent agenda.
“I felt insecure while I was at NUP, not because NRM people were after me, but because I realized it wasn’t what I had hoped for when I joined. I was thinking there was a clear agenda and clear motives within the party, but after joining, I saw it wasn’t what I had planned,” he said.
Emuk praised the NRM for its organizational structure and long-term vision, calling it “the biggest and most organized party in the world.”
He further disclosed that senior government figures, including the Speaker of Parliament, had encouraged him to cross over, describing him as a promising young leader.
“They told me, ‘You are a very good leader, you can represent us, you can lead us.’ Everyone was wondering why I was still on that team called NUP,” Emuk recounted.
As President Museveni arrived in Bukedea for his final rally in Teso, Emuk used the occasion to express gratitude and commitment to the Head of State.
“My message to the President is that we have only one leader in this race—His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. My focus is not on myself, but on how we can work together through public-private partnerships to transform Bukedea,” he said.
Emuk outlined his development priorities for Bukedea County, emphasizing agricultural revitalization, cooperative revival, and increased support for smallholder farmers.
“Our people depend on agriculture, but many are left on their own. We need active extension workers and functioning cooperatives so that farmers can determine fair prices for their produce,” he added.
His defection adds to the growing list of former opposition politicians in Eastern Uganda who have recently joined the NRM — a trend observers link to the ruling party’s intensified grassroots mobilization ahead of the 2026 general elections.
