Politics 6 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Ex-FDC Legal Secretary Moses Okot Bitek Joins Ruling NRM Party
Former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) national legal secretary and ex-MP Moses Junior Okot Bitek has officially defected to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). He was received at the NRM headquarters by Secretary General Richard Todwong, who welcomed him and other defectors. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/former-fdc-legal-secretary-okot-bitek-crosses-to-nrm--5585750
Moses Junior Okot Bitek, who previously served as the national legal secretary for the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and represented Kioga County as a Member of Parliament, has made a significant political shift. On Saturday, he formally joined the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) at their party headquarters in Kampala.
Okot Bitek was accompanied by a delegation of former FDC members from Amolatar District, including local leaders and past electoral contestants. Their reception at the NRM headquarters was led by the party’s Secretary General, Richard Todwong, alongside the Amolatar NRM District Chairman, Kamilo Olwit.
During the welcoming ceremony, Todwong expressed his delight at Okot Bitek’s decision, assuring the new members that they would be integrated into the NRM with full rights and opportunities. He emphasized that the NRM has a history of welcoming individuals from diverse political backgrounds, fostering unity for national development. Todwong encouraged Okot Bitek to leverage his experience to serve his constituents effectively, highlighting the need for leaders to adapt to evolving societal needs.
Okot Bitek, who chaired the FDC’s Makerere University chapter before his national role, stated his intention to learn from seasoned NRM figures while contributing his opposition-honed skills. He indicated that his experience in the 11th Parliament convinced him that some constituent challenges could be better addressed from within the government. He urged former political adversaries to set aside past differences for the sake of nation-building.
Amolatar District NRM Chairman Kamilo Olwit echoed Todwong’s sentiments, promising full support and treatment as genuine party members. Okot Bitek’s move follows his electoral defeat in the January 2026 General Election, where he lost his parliamentary seat to Colline Angwech of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC).