KAMPALA, Uganda — Veteran politician Yusuf Nsibambi has formally defected from the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), citing exhaustion with what he described as the ineffectiveness of opposition politics.
Nsibambi, a former FDC legislator for Mawokota South, handed over his party membership card at the NRM secretariat on Wednesday. The 61-year-old lawyer and former FDC Parliamentary Whip described his political realignment as part of “the struggle for peace,” stating that the polarized nature of Ugandan politics had left him disillusioned.
“I am tired of politics of telling people ‘vimba vimba’ and they kuvimba, ‘nyiga nyiga’ and they kunyiga,” Nsibambi told supporters, employing local idioms to express his frustration with opposition tactics he said yielded no tangible results. “I tried to kuvimba, and it broke my bone,” he added.
During his tenure in opposition, Nsibambi served as the Shadow Minister for Works and Transport. However, he claimed the role provided little influence, as opposition voices were routinely sidelined in key legislative debates, including those concerning the Coffee Bill and other national policies.
Background and Recent Events
Nsibambi’s political journey has been marked by controversy and debate. Born on April 4, 1965, in Kalagala village, Nkozi, Mawokota, he rose to prominence as a vocal opposition figure and held several leadership roles within FDC until his defeat in the January 15, 2026, general elections, where he lost the Mawokota South parliamentary seat to NRM’s Suzan Nakawuki.
Following the election loss, the outgoing MP drew criticism from some constituents for withdrawing personal development initiatives, including disconnecting a community electricity transformer he had installed and scaling back other support projects. He defended his actions as a protest against what he described as voter ingratitude. In the lead‑up to his defection announcement, Nsibambi also held meetings with President Yoweri Museveni on national dialogue, seeking ways to reduce political tensions and address issues such as tribalism and political imprisonment. These engagements attracted criticism from opposition ranks, with some accusing him of acting without broad consultation.
Political Realignment in Uganda
Nsibambi’s shift comes amid reports of a broader realignment in Ugandan politics, with several opposition figures defecting to the NRM ahead of the 2026–2031 parliamentary term. Party leaders have described these moves as strengthening national unity and development prospects. In announcing his decision at NRM headquarters, Nsibambi said he hopes his experience on both sides of the political divide will help bridge gaps and contribute to what he calls “a peaceful, stable and inclusive political environment.”
