By Spy Uganda
Kampala – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni today met with a group of National Unity Platform (NUP) converts and members of the Federation of Uganda Taxi Operators (UTOF) at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, in a gathering that brought together defectors, NRM flag bearers, and leaders from the Luwero Triangle.
Among the converts were several former prisoners released last year, including Muhydin Kakooza Sanya, who have since joined forces to form a SACCO called the Bali Bali Group.
Taking to social media shortly after the meeting, President Museveni expressed gratitude to the former NUP supporters for what he termed “reforming” and abandoning what he described as misleading opposition politics.
“I met a group of converts from the National Unity Platform (NUP) at Kololo and thanked them for reforming. The NRM will support their reintegration into society. I also congratulate the former prisoners for realizing their mistakes & turning away from misleading opposition politics, thereby earning our forgiveness,” Museveni tweeted.
The President was blunt in his criticism of opposition figures, particularly from NUP and sections of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), accusing them of exploiting the youth.
“These bad leaders in NUP and some sections of FDC misguide the youth into danger, resulting in unnecessary deaths. They really have nothing to offer,” Museveni said, calling on the converts to stay away from “misleaders” and instead embrace productive government programs.
The President revealed that government will study the memorandum presented by the converts, but urged them to focus their energy on building stable livelihoods.
“What I urge them to do is focus on building better lives through the different government programs and explore opportunities in four sectors: commercial agriculture, artisanship and industry, services, and ICT. I welcome them!” he added.
Museveni assured the defectors that the NRM is ready to support their reintegration into society, emphasizing that forgiveness and opportunity await those who abandon what he called “the politics of confrontation.”
The high-profile meeting underscores the ruling party’s ongoing efforts to woo disillusioned opposition supporters and consolidate its grassroots base ahead of the 2026 general elections. With the formation of groups like the Bali Bali SACCO, the converts are expected to tap into government programs designed to boost household incomes and reduce youth unemployment.
