Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has criticized leaders of the National Unity Platform (NUP) and certain sections of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), stating they offer nothing to the country and instead lead youth into harm. Museveni made these remarks on his social media platform after meeting with a group of former NUP and FDC members who had defected to his party at Kololo.

The President expressed gratitude towards the defectors for their decision to reform and pledged the ruling National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) support for their reintegration into society. He also commended former prisoners who had renounced their involvement in opposition politics, stating they had earned forgiveness.

Museveni received a memorandum from the defectors and promised to review it. He encouraged young people to focus on government initiatives and opportunities in key sectors such as commercial agriculture, artisanship, industry, services, and information and communication technology (ICT).

However, some Ugandans have expressed skepticism regarding the authenticity of the defections. One social media user suggested that the defections might be motivated by financial gain, with individuals mobilizing groups to claim defection in exchange for benefits.

The development comes as President Museveni was recently nominated to run for a seventh term as the NRM’s flagbearer in the 2026 general elections. The President’s comments and the defections have sparked discussion about the country’s political landscape and the role of opposition parties.

The NRM has been in power since 1986, and Museveni’s nomination sets the stage for another election cycle in Uganda. The President’s remarks about the opposition and his engagement with defectors highlight the ongoing political dynamics in the country. As the 2026 elections approach, the interactions between the ruling party and opposition groups are likely to remain a significant aspect of Uganda’s political scene.