The Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, has described Yusuf Nsibambi’s defection to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) as the unmasking of what he calls a long-running act of political pretense.
Nsibambi, the former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) whip in Parliament, recently crossed to the ruling party following a controversial meeting with President Yoweri Museveni at State House. While the details of the closed-door talks remain undisclosed, Nsibambi has maintained that the discussions were aimed at securing the release and improving the welfare of detained opposition leaders.
However, Ssenyonyi says the opposition never bought that explanation.
“For a long time, we said he should stop pretending,” Ssenyonyi remarked. He claimed he was engaging Mr Museveni for the good of the opposition, but it was clear there were personal interests at play.”
The LoP suggested that Nsibambi’s move may have been motivated by political survival rather than principle, particularly after losing an election alongside several other opposition figures.
“Maybe he needed support. Maybe there are debts to settle. Maybe he is positioning himself for a government appointment — minister of state, RDC, or something else. Whatever it is, at least now the pretense is over,” he said.
Despite the high-profile switch, Ssenyonyi dismissed suggestions that the opposition has been weakened.
“Opposition to Mr Museveni is not defined by a few leaders in Parliament. It is rooted in the frustrations of ordinary Ugandans — people demanding better services, accountability, and an end to corruption and brutality. That resistance does not disappear because one individual crosses over,” he said.
Ssenyonyi added that while Nsibambi is free to make his political choices, the opposition remains confident and focused.
