Kyotera County Member of Parliament John Paul Mpalanyi and District Woman Representative Fortunate Nantongo have officially crossed from the Democratic Party to the National Unity Platform, in a move that has sparked political debate and speculation across the district.
The decision was confirmed on Tuesday and followed by the formal unveiling of Mpalanyi at the NUP party headquarters in Kavule on Wednesday. The two legislators cited dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party’s direction, accusing its leadership of betraying its founding ideals by aligning with the ruling National Resistance Movement.
Speaking at the announcement, Nantongo stated, “I cannot continue serving in the same party that has lost its way and betrayed the political ideologies under which it was built.” She echoed concerns that the DP had lost vision and direction under the leadership of Norbert Mao, whom she and Mpalanyi accused of weakening the opposition and mismanaging the party.
Their defection was warmly received by NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine. He welcomed the two leaders and urged others to follow suit, emphasizing that only a united opposition could reclaim power and establish good governance in Uganda.
However, the timing of their move, so close to the 2026 general elections, has drawn criticism from political analysts. Some observers argue that Mpalanyi and Nantongo may be motivated more by political survival than principle. Critics claim the two legislators are seeking the popular NUP ticket to boost their chances of reelection.
According to sources close to the lawmakers, the recent Kawempe North by-election served as a wake-up call. One insider noted, “Kawempe by-election was a clear indicator that several candidates, regardless of being incumbent, would struggle to retain positions in the forthcoming general elections.”
In Kyotera, political momentum had reportedly begun shifting in favor of former MP Haruna Kasolo. Though he had previously stepped away from the constituency, Kasolo returned, claiming he was responding to calls from the electorate. Despite his loss in 2021, Kasolo remains influential through his charitable work with the Kasolo Foundation, an impact that Mpalanyi has reportedly struggled to match.
Similarly, Nantongo’s performance continues to be assessed in comparison to her late mother, Robinah Ssentongo. Robinah’s legacy through Kitovu Mobile still resonates strongly with voters, making it difficult for Nantongo to command the same level of grassroots support.
In the 2021 elections, Mpalanyi received 28,230 votes against Kasolo’s 20,431. Nantongo garnered 49,019 votes while her closest challenger, Racheal Nakitende of the NRM, received 26,137 votes. Their victories were partially attributed to their alliance with Patrick Kintu Kisekulo, the district chairperson at the time, who had fallen out with Kasolo during the NRM primaries.
Now, with Kisekulo and Kasolo having reconciled and reportedly preparing for a political comeback, the ground appears to be shifting beneath the feet of Mpalanyi and Nantongo. Facing the possibility of a resurgent opposition, the two MPs are believed to have evaluated their chances and decided that NUP offers a better path forward.
Their move was facilitated by NUP Regional Coordinator Charles Kirumira and Masaka City Mayor Florence Namayanja. Sources indicate that both Kirumira and Namayanja assured the MPs of party ticket endorsements. Kirumira, who had initially expressed interest in contesting for the Kyotera County seat, has now redirected his ambitions toward the LC5 Chairperson position.
In the 2021 general elections, Kirumira managed to secure only 4,004 votes, signaling that Kyotera remained a Democratic Party stronghold despite the national NUP wave. His decision to step aside for Mpalanyi reflects the strategic maneuvering underway within the party.
Still, not all NUP members are pleased. Ruth Nassali, who had already declared her interest in the Kyotera Woman MP seat, expressed frustration over the party’s decision to prioritize newcomers.
“It is shameful for the party to overlook committed cadres in favor of opportunistic newcomers,” Nassali said.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party remains defiant. Dr. Tom Darlington Balojja, the DP District Chairperson, said the party had anticipated the defection and is prepared to present new candidates.
“Since the election of the two legislators to parliament, they have shown signs of defection. Their decision does not surprise us. We are ready to front fresh candidates who uphold the values of the party,” Balojja stated.
As the 2026 elections draw closer, the political atmosphere in Kyotera continues to evolve. With new alliances taking shape and old ones breaking apart, the district is set to be a key battleground in the struggle between Uganda’s traditional political parties and the rising momentum of the opposition.
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