Former Mbarara City North aspirant Peter Mpaka has officially abandoned the National Unity Platform and joined the ruling NRM, a decision he made public after stepping out of the parliamentary race earlier in November. His defection was confirmed during a brief event at Igongo Cultural Centre, where he appeared alongside several councillors and NUP mobilisers who also chose to shift their support to the NRM.

Mpaka said his decision followed growing dissatisfaction with how NUP handled his campaign, particularly its failure to respond to his request for basic materials such as posters. He emphasized that the move was entirely his own initiative and dismissed accusations that he had been paid to switch sides. He further revealed that he had persuaded about 400 supporters who originally joined NUP through his mobilization to transition with him to the ruling party.

During the ceremony, NRM Electoral Commission official Dr. James Tweheyo welcomed Mpaka and praised the strength of the mobilization team he brought along. Tweheyo also stressed that Mpaka’s crossover was not the result of coercion, describing him as someone acting out of integrity. Mpaka, for his part, pledged full commitment to supporting NRM candidates and President Museveni in Mbarara City moving forward.