By Our Reporter
Emuk Benjamin, a prominent National Unity Platform (NUP) mobilizer and aspiring Member of Parliament for Bukedea County, has officially defected to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). The move, announced yesterday, was accompanied by stinging criticism, with Emuk describing the NUP as a party plagued by self-interest.
Appearing publicly clad in an NRM T-shirt, Emuk Benjamin told reporters that he could no longer associate with the Opposition party, which he claimed "prioritizes personal interests over the people’s needs.”
Emuk explicitly condemned the NUP's internal operations, stating they were "a party of individuals driven by greed and without a clear leadership agenda.”
Emuk rose to political prominence earlier this year after he publicly declared his intentions to contest for the Bukedea County MP seat under the National Unity Platform ticket, signaling a strong challenge to the incumbent leadership.
However, despite receiving the NUP's endorsement for the upcoming elections, political observers noted his conspicuous absence on the crucial nomination day—an event that foreshadowed his eventual departure from the party.
Justifying his sudden shift to the ruling political establishment, Emuk praised the NRM's governance record.
"My decision was influenced by the NRM’s proven track record of unity, development, and visionary leadership," Emuk asserted, indicating that he believes the ruling party offers a more stable and effective platform for advancing the interests of the people of Bukedea.
Emuk’s calculated move has immediately generated a flurry of debate and diverse public reactions across the county.
NRM sympathizers have widely applauded his decision, viewing it as yet another instance of key opposition figures recognizing and embracing the ruling party’s national vision and stability.
Conversely, many critics and former colleagues in the opposition have swiftly labeled Emuk an opportunist, suggesting his defection was motivated by the pursuit of political expediency and personal gain rather than ideological conviction.
The defection marks a significant blow to the NUP’s attempts to consolidate power and expand its grassroots operations in the Teso sub-region, forcing the party to re-evaluate its leadership structures ahead of future electoral contests.
