By Namuli N. Racheal
An unusual political development has emerged in Northern Uganda, as Ongwec Moses, an NRM veteran from the Lango sub-region, claims to represent a group of National Unity Platform (NUP) defectors seeking engagement with President Yoweri Museveni.
Speaking at a press conference held earlier today at Grand Imperial Hotel in Kampala, Ongwec—who appeared alone before journalists—stated that 13 former NUP flag bearers from the recently concluded elections urgently want to meet the President for financial support.
“After the nomination of President Museveni and Members of Parliament in the just concluded elections, I took a bold decision to convince all nominated NUP flag bearers in the Lango sub-region and some in Acholi to drop their party flags and support President Museveni and all NRM candidates,” Ongwec said.
He added that he personally visited several NUP candidates in their homes to persuade them to withdraw their candidacy and back the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
According to Ongwec, some of the alleged defectors include Omang Emmanuel (Kole North), Oyim Maxwell, Geoffrey Ebyeru, Bua Leo, and Kantu Joseph Ochen, among others.
Ongwec further claimed that he sought to formalize the alleged defections by engaging NRM leadership, including the party’s Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda, Hon. Denis Obua. However, he says he was redirected to the NRM Secretary General, Richard Todwong, and later to the party spokesperson, Emmanuel Dombo.
He expressed frustration, alleging that he has been “moved back and forth” without success and is now seeking a direct meeting with President Museveni.
“The idea of convincing these NUP members to cross over was initiated by me and not by any other person, as claimed by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa,” Ongwec added.
He also noted that the former NUP candidates allegedly spent significant amounts of money during their campaigns and are now seeking financial intervention from the President. However, he claims that efforts to meet the President are being hindered by individuals within the NRM Secretariat.
Ongwec further asserted that the NRM’s electoral success in the Lango sub-region was largely due to his efforts.
However, one of the individuals named, Geoffrey Ebyeru, dismissed Ongwec’s claims during a phone interview. He stated that Ongwec has not been active in the Lango region for many years and does not represent the NUP candidates.
“If we wanted to engage President Museveni, we would mobilize ourselves instead of being represented by Ongwec,” Ebyeru said.
