Former Ugandan Ambassador to Canada, Joy Ruth Acheng, has distanced herself from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), declaring that she has never been a member of the party despite years of service under President Museveni’s government.
Speaking in Kole District during a mobilisation rally for Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) president Jimmy Akena, Acheng said she was returning to strengthen her political home, insisting her diplomatic posting was an act of patriotic duty rather than political alignment.
“Is it yellow or red? I just want to assure you that I have never been yellow,” she told the crowd.
“I worked for Yellow when I was appointed ambassador of Uganda in Canada because I respect my authorities, and I did that very well.”
However, during her time in Ottawa, Acheng was widely seen as an enthusiastic defender of the NRM government, often attending and hosting partisan functions where she publicly praised President Museveni and his administration.
Her conspicuous display of loyalty to the regime, both in speeches and diplomatic appearances, drew criticism from the diaspora and opposition activists who accused her of acting more like an NRM cadre than a career diplomat.
Acheng was eventually recalled in 2020 after being expelled by the Canadian government.
Ottawa declared her persona non grata over what sources at the time described as “diplomatic misconduct,” though Ugandan authorities downplayed the incident.
Her expulsion effectively cut short her term as Uganda’s high commissioner and cast a shadow over her posting.
“When I was kicked out of Canada, I was wearing yellow because I was defending my President and my country, even if I behaved diplomatically as the ambassador of Uganda,” she told supporters in Kole.
Acheng added that her appointment had been controversial from the outset, with some NRM figures questioning why a UPC stalwart had been selected.
“The Minister who appointed me appreciated me, but some NRM friends said, ‘How could he appoint a UPC?’ Yet I went to Canada, served diligently and efficiently, and came back.”
Now back in Kole, she said she has declined a recent offer for another diplomatic assignment and is instead preparing to contest again for the Woman MP seat in the 2026 general elections.
“I am back to fight for my people,” she said.
Her remarks come as the UPC intensifies grassroots mobilisation efforts, aiming to regain influence in northern Uganda and other regions where the party once held sway.
Acheng’s declaration is likely to revive debate over political loyalty, public service, and the role of ambassadors in partisan politics.