28 UPC Members Defect to NRM During Lira City Event

At least 28 members of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) have officially joined the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in Lira City. The defections were announced during a Boda Boda festival held at Lira Town College playground, where Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero was also named the patron of the Lira United Boda Boda Motorcycle Association.

Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, the Lira City Woman Member of Parliament, encouraged the defectors to adopt the ideology of their new party, likening their transition to the Roman philosophy of embracing a new way of life.

General Kahinda Otafiire, the Minister of Internal Affairs and the event’s Guest of Honor, welcomed the defectors and emphasized that they now have the opportunity to contest for any political position under the NRM banner.

Opyene Otto, the coordinator of the defectors, explained that their decision to cross over was driven by the visible developmental services provided by NRM leaders. Otto added that the defectors did not want to miss out on any benefits or opportunities that the ruling party could offer its supporters.

One of the defectors, Dilish Apio, a resident of Lira City West Division, expressed her disappointment with the UPC’s track record. She noted that even though she grew up during UPC’s rule, there had been no significant development during that time, which motivated her to align with the NRM.