Bugweri County legislator Hajji Abdu Katuntu has officially joined the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), ending decades of affiliation with the opposition and independent politics.

The veteran lawmaker was on Friday received by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at State House Entebbe, where he was introduced to members of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus. His defection was later celebrated at a well-attended rally in Bugweri District on Saturday, drawing crowds of cheering supporters.

“Those who trust my leadership, let us unite and seek votes for President Museveni,” Katuntu declared, signaling his readiness to strengthen NRM’s presence in Bugweri and the wider Busoga sub-region ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Katuntu, a seasoned politician and lawyer, previously served as the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)’s shadow attorney general and chaired key parliamentary committees, including COSASE and Rules, Privileges and Discipline. His reputation for legal expertise and balanced leadership earned him respect across the political divide.

Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, who officially welcomed him during the Bugweri rally, urged Katuntu to champion the NRM’s agenda and spearhead campaign mobilization in Busoga.

“Hon. Katuntu, I want you to ask for votes for President Museveni,” she said, emphasizing the importance of unity and coordination in the region.

NRM strategists have hailed Katuntu’s move as a significant gain for the ruling party in Busoga, a region traditionally viewed as an opposition stronghold. Insiders reveal he is set to play a key role in reconciling local factions and guiding grassroots mobilization efforts as the 2026 elections draw closer.

Party leaders described his defection as “a new dawn” for Bugweri politics and a sign of growing confidence in the NRM’s development agenda.