AMOLATAR, Uganda — National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong has officially welcomed former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) stalwart Moses Junior Okot Bitek into the ruling party.
Bitek was received during a high-profile defection ceremony held at Amolatar Boma Grounds on Saturday, September 19, 2026, attended by NRM leaders, supporters and other political actors.
Addressing the gathering, Todwong assured Bitek of equal rights and opportunities within the NRM, saying he would be treated with the same respect and privileges as other party members.
“In the NRM, we do not discriminate. Once you join us, you are an equal partner in the struggle for the socio-economic transformation of this country,” Todwong said.
He also urged leaders to prioritise the needs of their constituents.
During the event, Todwong received a memorandum addressed to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni outlining key development priorities for Amolatar District.
The memorandum, read by Peter Okodo, the NRM flag bearer for Kioga North, included requests for the upgrading of Amolatar Health Centre IV into a district hospital, tarmacking of the 88-kilometre Namasale-Dokolo Road, and funding for an NRM leaders’ SACCO in Amolatar.
The leaders also called for employment opportunities for NRM cadres within party and government structures.
Todwong pledged to present the requests to President Museveni and remind him of commitments made during previous campaigns.
“I will take this request table to the President. He is committed to Amolatar, and we will ensure these promises are fulfilled,” Todwong said.
Felix Adupa Ongwech, the NRM flag bearer for Kioga County, welcomed Bitek to the party but urged him to respect NRM discipline and support the party.
“We welcome you, but you must behave like any other party member and give full support to the NRM,” Adupa said, while calling for unity among local leaders.
Morish Ogwal Omara, the Amolatar District LCV Chairperson, also appealed for the development concerns of the district to be addressed, particularly the Namasale-Dokolo Road.
Ogwal said President Museveni had previously acknowledged the road as a commitment owed to the people of Amolatar.
“The President said the Namasale to Dokolo road is a debt to him. We are asking him to pay that debt by tarmacking it before it reaches bad debt,” Ogwal said.
He also urged the government to consider recruiting NRM cadres into government jobs.
RDC Francise Okello Odoki Rwotlonyo commended Bitek for joining the NRM and called for unity among party members.
Dr. Agnes Atim Apea, former Woman MP for Amolatar District, said she was ready to work with Bitek, citing his influence in political mobilisation.
“We are ready to work with him. He is influential, and we need that energy to strengthen the party in Amolatar,” she said.
Peter Okodo noted that although local leaders had previously been political rivals, they were now working together.
“We fought with Bitek in the past, but today we are working together for a common goal,” Okodo said.
Todwong Endorses PLU
In a related development, Todwong signed an endorsement book for the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) presented by James Olobo Dubai, a former Kioga North MP aspirant and current PLU elders’ mobiliser.
The event also saw several members from different opposition parties officially defect to the NRM after being received by Todwong.
The defections add to the NRM’s political mobilisation activities in Amolatar District as the party continues organising ahead of the 2026 elections.
