Summary:
- Mugarura likened the NRM’s actions to a “slave trade,” alleging that the party is “buying” opposition members to join its ranks.
RUKUNGIRI: The Chairman of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Party in Rukungiri District, Aloysius Mugarura, has accused the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) of bribing FDC supporters to defect to their party.
Mugarura likened the NRM’s actions to a “slave trade,” alleging that the party is “buying” opposition members to join its ranks. His accusations come after the recent defection of over 1,000 active FDC members, including leaders and mobilizers from the sub-counties of Bugangari, Nyakagyeme, Buhunga, and Ruhinda, who joined the NRM at events presided over by the Minister of Security, Retired Major General Jim Muhwezi.
Mugarura encouraged FDC members to remain steadfast in their efforts to remove the NRM from power and to strive for a better future for Uganda.
Cue in Mugarura… on NRM… RR//
However, the District NRM Administrative Secretary, Davis Mutabanura, denied the allegations, stating that the NRM is not bribing opposition members with money or offering them high-ranking positions within the party.
Mutabanura argued that the opposition tends to interpret any actions by the ruling party negatively. He clarified that, although he has attended events where members of opposition parties like FDC, NUP, and UPC defected to the NRM, none were paid to do so.
He called on the opposition to provide concrete evidence when making such accusations and urged them to stop spreading baseless speculations about the NRM.
Cue in Mutabanura… on defectors… RR/Eng//
