Former Aruu County Member of Parliament Odonga Otto has called for national introspection and political counseling for Ugandans, arguing that widespread political fatigue and misunderstandings about how political systems operate are deepening divisions in the country.
Speaking to Canary Mugume during the Next Big Talk hosted by Next Radio on Saturday, Otto said the country is grappling with frustration stemming from prolonged political tensions and a lack of power transition.
“I think Ugandans need counseling, all of us — including me and you — on how political systems work. All Ugandans are suffering from political fatigue. We’ve not seen a change of power,” he said.
Otto weighed in on the recent defection of Mawokota South MP Yusuf Nsibambi from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), describing the move as pragmatic rather than betrayal.
On Wednesday, Nsibambi officially joined the NRM at the party headquarters, where he was welcomed by Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong.
Dressed in yellow, the ruling party’s colour, he declared his readiness to serve the NRM, citing frustrations with what he described as disorganisation within the opposition.
Otto defended the principle of political realignment, saying party membership should not be viewed as permanent.
“Being in a political party isn’t like being a hen, where you have one outfit from birth to death. In politics, adaptability is key to longevity. When the wind blows and big trees don’t bend, they get broken,” Otto said.
Nsibambi had earlier criticised the opposition for what he termed a lack of coordination and direction, alleging that key decisions — including parliamentary protests — were made without proper consultation among opposition parties.
Despite defending Nsibambi’s right to defect, Otto cautioned against celebrating what many analysts describe as the weakening of the FDC, once Uganda’s leading opposition party.
“The only thing left of FDC is the building in Najjanankumbi,” Otto said, suggesting that the party’s headquarters may be its most visible remaining asset.
Otto further revealed that one of FDC’s former founders had contacted him seeking legal services to pursue a refund of funds allegedly contributed toward the purchase of the Najjanankumbi property — an indication, he said, of internal dissatisfaction.
However, Otto emphasised that a weakened opposition poses risks to Uganda’s democratic health.
“We shouldn’t celebrate FDC’s collapse; a weak opposition isn’t good for the country. We need a strong, issue-based opposition,” he said.
Otto also addressed broader questions of patriotism, urging leaders and citizens alike to reconsider how national loyalty is defined.
“Patriotism isn’t rolling in the mud in Kyankwanzi and fumbling with a gun. It’s not accepting anything that will hurt your country. Asking for sanctions on Uganda isn’t patriotic,” he said.
His remarks come amid heightened political shifts following the January 15, 2026 general elections, in which Nsibambi lost his Mawokota South parliamentary seat to NRM’s Suzan Kawuki before formally crossing to the ruling party.
FDC President Patrick Amuriat Oboi described the defection as “disappointing but not surprising,” noting that the party had observed “uncomfortable tendencies” in Nsibambi’s conduct over the past year.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi argued that such defections do not weaken the opposition’s core mission.
“Leaders have always crossed to NRM from the opposition, but the issues of concern to citizens don’t go away,” Ssenyonyi said.
FDC is currently consulting on filling the vacant Chief Whip position, with Soroti District Woman MP Anna Adeke Ebaju reportedly emerging as a leading contender.
Nsibambi joins a growing list of former FDC figures who have crossed to the NRM over the years, underscoring ongoing realignments within Uganda’s political landscape.
Political analysts say the developments raise broader questions about the future of the FDC and the structure of Uganda’s opposition politics, particularly as new formations such as the National Unity Platform, the Alliance for National Transformation, and the People’s Front for Freedom continue to reshape the opposition space.