RWAMPARA, Uganda — Jordan Tumwine, a former parliamentary aspirant for Rwampara County, has returned to the National Unity Platform (NUP) after briefly defecting to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Tumwine was earlier nominated by the Electoral Commission to contest for the Rwampara County seat. He later withdrew from the race and crossed to the NRM, a move that surprised many of his supporters.
Speaking after his return, Tumwine said his decision to join the ruling party was based on promises of financial support, clothing and food. He said the promises were not fulfilled, prompting him to reconsider his position.
“I was misled by promises that were never honored,” Tumwine said, describing his short stay in the NRM as a mistake.
He has since apologized to the people of Rwampara County and to NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine. Tumwine asked for forgiveness and pledged renewed loyalty to the opposition party.
The National Unity Platform has not yet issued an official statement on Tumwine’s return, but the development adds to ongoing debates about political loyalty and inducements in Uganda’s electoral politics.
