Kazo County Member of Parliament Dan Kimosho has welcomed the decision by Mawokota South Member of Parliament Yusuf Nsibambi to join the National Resistance Movement (NRM), describing the move as a sign of political maturity and democratic openness within Uganda’s multiparty system.
Speaking to Canary Mugume during the Next Big Talk hosted by Next Radio on Saturday, Kimosho emphasized that political realignment is a constitutional right and should not be met with hostility.
“Hon. Nsibambi contributed significantly to building the opposition and strengthening the democratic process in Uganda. If people can opt out of a seminary, what about a political party? People should let Yusuf Nsibambi be,” he said.
Kimosho stressed that Nsibambi’s defection demonstrates that the NRM does not hold grudges against individuals who previously disagreed with the party.
“Whether Yusuf Nsibambi is perceived as high or low value, we welcome him as he is. It is also a sign that as a party, we do not hold grudges with anyone who disagrees with us,” he said.
Using a metaphor to illustrate his point, Kimosho compared Nsibambi’s move to “a cheating man formalizing a marriage,” suggesting that the transition reflects a decisive commitment rather than political ambiguity.
He further predicted that more opposition members are likely to defect in the near future, arguing that dissatisfaction within opposition ranks continues to grow.
Kimosho also addressed concerns about political detentions and human rights, calling for broader national consensus on protecting civil liberties.
“Some opposition leaders get jittery when you talk about getting young people out of prison—it’s their bargaining card. They don’t make serious attempts. Everyone should support and promote human rights because each one of us can be a victim of violence,” he said.
His remarks come amid recent discussions around the detention of political actors and appeals for reconciliation following the January 15, 2026 general elections.
Nsibambi, who previously served as Deputy President for the Central Region and Chief Whip of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), officially joined the NRM earlier this week.
He was welcomed at the party headquarters by Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among and NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong.
Dressed in yellow, the official colour of the NRM, Nsibambi declared his readiness to serve in the ruling party, citing frustration with what he described as a lack of coordination and ideological clarity within the opposition.
“I have been in opposition all my life but for the last four or five years, we have never sat to agree on any position,” Nsibambi stated, criticising what he termed disorganised parliamentary strategies and unilateral decisions within opposition ranks.
Nsibambi specifically referenced last year’s protest over the UPDF and political parties bills, saying opposition parties failed to harmonise positions before staging walkouts.
The FDC has dismissed suggestions that Nsibambi’s departure will weaken the party. FDC President Patrick Amuriat Oboi described the move as “disappointing but not surprising,” citing what he called “uncomfortable tendencies” in Nsibambi’s conduct over the past year.
Amuriat rejected claims that FDC weakened following previous high-profile departures, drawing parallels with former members including Betty Kamya and Gregory Mugisha Muntu.
Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi also downplayed the impact, stating that defections to the NRM have occurred before and do not erase the concerns of ordinary citizens.
Nsibambi’s shift to the NRM follows his loss of the Mawokota South parliamentary seat in the January 2026 elections to NRM’s Suzan Kawuki.
His move adds to a growing list of former FDC members who have crossed over to the ruling party.
Political analysts say the development raises broader questions about the cohesion and future trajectory of Uganda’s opposition, with several members previously defecting to parties including the NRM, the National Unity Platform, the Alliance for National Transformation and the People’s Front for Freedom.