MBARARA.Peter Mpaka, the former National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate for Mbarara City North, has officially crossed to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
This comes after Mr Mpaka withdrew from both the race and the party on November 17, 2025.
Mpaka’s defection was confirmed during a brief ceremony at Igongo Cultural Centre in Mbarara City on Thursday.
The event was presided over by Rtd. Col. Sam Karogo Muraari, the Ankole Reserve Force Commander, and James Tweheyo, a commissioner with the NRM Electoral Commission.
Mpaka crossed over with three councillors and several NUP coordinators and supervisors from Mbarara City, all of whom declared their allegiance to the ruling party.
“It is true today, the 27th of November, that I have officially crossed from the National Unity Platform to the National Resistance Movement, together with my whole team of mobilisers,” Mpaka said.
He added that he would soon present a group of about 400 supporters he had recruited into NUP, all of whom had agreed to move with him to NRM.
“We are now Team NRM. We are Team President Museveni. We are Team flag bearers of NRM here in Mbarara City,” he said.
Mpaka dismissed claims that he had been financially induced to quit the opposition, maintaining that his decision was voluntary.
He said his frustration grew after NUP allegedly ignored his request for campaign posters.
“I can confirm that I’ve not been bought. Since Monday the 17th, when I wrote requesting my party for just posters as support in my campaigns, there has been no reply,” Mpaka said.
Col (Rtd) Karogo Muraari told the Newzzone publication that he convinced Mpaka and his colleagues to join NRM of their own free will.
“My work is to look for those who want to join the NRM to mobilise for the President and for the party. When I reached Mpaka, we discussed at length and found that his issues could be solved when we are at home, in the NRM,” Karogo said.
“We agreed to welcome him home. The house of our father is still open for many — the bus is not yet full.”
Tweheyo, from the NRM Electoral Commission, praised Mpaka for bringing a strong mobilisation team with him.
“Anybody out there should not imagine that he has been forced or coerced or bought. He is a man of integrity, and we shall work together to make the situation better,” Tweheyo said.