Museveni welcomes NUP converts, urges unity and adoption of government programmes

26 September 2025, 11:10 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

President Yoweri Museveni yesterday received a group of converts at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, who said they had moved from the National Unity Platform (NUP) to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Museveni congratulated the former prisoners in the group, praising them for “realising their mistakes” and abandoning what he described as misleading opposition politics. He assured them that the NRM would support their reintegration into society.

“I congratulate the former prisoners. These bad leaders in NUP and some sections of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) mislead the youth into danger, resulting in unnecessary deaths. They really have nothing to offer,” Museveni said.

The President added that he had listened to the converts’ memorandum and pledged that the NRM would study it. He encouraged them to focus on building better lives through government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model, and to explore opportunities in the four key sectors: commercial agriculture, artisanship and industry, services, and ICT.

The event was led by the Federation of Uganda Taxi Operators (UTOF) and other organisations. UTOF chairman Rashid Sekindi praised the President for helping to unite previously divided groups within the taxi sector.

“I want to thank the President for always listening to our issues. Many years ago, we were in separate groups, each with leaders who were not on good terms with one another. This affected our work and the country at large. But when the President invited us to State House for various meetings, he consistently advised us to unite for the betterment of our country and peace. Following his guidance, we have achieved what we have today—peace in our work, despite the challenges,” Sekindi said.

He, however, acknowledged that the sector still faces difficulties, including the need for further government support, even though taxi parks have been established across the country. Museveni encouraged the operators to continue embracing government programmes.

Meanwhile, NRM party member Moses Karangwa used the platform to voice his concerns over what he described as unfairness during the recently concluded party primaries. He urged the party leadership to address these issues, warning that failure to do so could have consequences for the NRM in the future.