Bugweri Abdu Katuntu
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The hot news is that veteran legislator Abdu Katuntu has officially joined the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Katuntu, Bugweri County MP has been one of the strongest brains in the opposition and a legal consultant whose contribution to the opposition politics in the country cannot be doubted by any sober minded Ugandan.
His defection marks a dramatic end to his long association with opposition politics and independent parliamentary life.
Katuntu, a principled politician with values whose aim was to build the opposition, has at long last realized there was no future for the opposition in Uganda.
His joining the NRM is a big catch for the ruling party in its struggle to consolidate support in Busoga, which has over the years proved to be a trump card for anyone who aspires to make it to State House.
Why he left FDC
Before the 2021 elections, Katuntu had complained of the confusion in the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and castigated opposition leaders like Besigye for conducting party business like personal organizations.
This was a major blow to the young organisation since MP Katuntu was one of the founders of FDC. He is a former UPC supporter who is serving his 5th term in parliament, having been in the House since 2001.
He is an experienced legislator and astute lawyer with a good record of participating in drafting several bills in parliament as well as chairing different committees of parliament successfully. He served as the party’s shadow attorney general and one of its chief strategists during its formative years.
His move to “greener pastures” is a sign of a lack of vision by the opposition, something that has made historical and senior founding members of the opposition parties quit.
Katuntu’s new life in NRM
Katuntu made a strong showing when he was unveiled by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Friday at State House Entebbe, where he was introduced to the NRM Parliamentary Caucus.
The announcement was followed by a grand rally in Bugweri on Saturday, where jubilant supporters cheered as Katuntu declared allegiance to the ruling party.
He promised to deliver Bugweri’s support to the NRM in the 2026 general elections, saying that whoever believes in him as their captain, should seek votes for President Museveni.
During the rally, Speaker Anita Among welcomed Katuntu’s move and urged him to campaign actively for President Museveni’s re-election bid. He urged him to fully embrace the NRM agenda.
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