Former legislator and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) national legal secretary, Hon. Okot Moses Bitek, has officially crossed to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), stating that he has chosen to work from within government to better advance the interests of his constituents.
Bitek was received at the NRM party headquarters in Kampala by the party’s Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, alongside a group of former FDC members who also defected to the ruling party.
The delegation included FDC members from Amolatar District, among them district leaders and former political contestants. They were accompanied by Amolator NRM District Chairman Olwit Kamilo and members of the District Executive Committee.
Welcoming Bitek and his colleagues, Rt Hon. Todwong said the decision followed discussions held over a period of time and expressed satisfaction that the former opposition politician had finally chosen to join the NRM.
“I’m extremely happy that today you have gained the courage to march with your troops to the party headquarters,” Todwong said.
He assured Bitek and the other new members that they would enjoy the same rights and opportunities as those who have been in the NRM for years. Todwong said Bitek would be registered as an NRM member and would be free to participate in party activities and offer himself for elective positions.
He noted that the NRM has historically incorporated people from different political backgrounds, arguing that political opponents can eventually become allies in the interest of national development.
“You never know your one-time potential ally could have been a one-time adversary, so you have to work together,” Todwong said.
He urged Bitek to use his experience and political skills to contribute to the development of his people, saying leadership must evolve alongside the changing needs of society. Todwong further argued that communities are constantly changing due to population growth, migration, economic activities, and new settlements, requiring leaders to remain open-minded and responsive to emerging challenges.
He further encouraged opposition politicians to consider working within government structures, pointing to programs in education, health, roads, electricity, and local government as areas where the NRM government has expanded service delivery.
“It’s very difficult to oppose when government is doing everything,” Todwong said, challenging opposition leaders to instead work from within to improve the quality and quantity of services delivered to citizens.
On his part, Bitek said his decision to join the NRM was carefully considered.
“I have come to the NRM not like a headless chicken. I have come with reason and purpose,” Bitek said.
Bitek, who previously served as chairperson of the FDC Makerere University chapter and later as the party’s national legal secretary, acknowledged that his move represented a significant change after years of political opposition. He said he was joining the NRM with the intention of learning from its experienced leaders while also contributing the skills and experience he had acquired during his time in opposition.
“I have come to learn from the best, like the Secretary General and sober people in the NRM that I know of,” he said.
Bitek said his experience in the 11th Parliament had convinced him that some of the challenges affecting his people could be addressed more effectively by engaging government from within.
He also called upon former political opponents to put aside past disagreements and work together, saying his decision was intended to contribute to nation-building.
The Amolatar District NRM Chairman Olwit Kamilo also welcomed Bitek and the other former FDC members, assuring them that they would be treated as full members of the ruling party.
“This party is for everybody. Let no one abuse you. This is your party,” Kamilo said.
He pledged the support of the district leadership to the new members and expressed confidence that more opposition politicians would eventually join the NRM.
The event was also attended by Bitek’s mother, Mrs. Akuno Kelle, an elder in Amolatar District, who welcomed her son’s decision and thanked Party members who had worked to support his political transition.
She said that her continued advice and guidance encouraged him to consider the benefits of working with the government.
