On Tuesday, July 4, 2023, more than 900 opposition supporters, including the former legislator on the UPC ticket, Krispus Ayena Odongo, were officially received by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni after defecting to the ruling National Movement Party (NRM).

Ayena is also the former legal advisor to the LRA warlord, Joseph Kony, who had expressed his desire to contest the Oyam North by-election and announced his defection about a week ago.

While being welcomed to the NRM party by President Yoweri Museveni during a rally held in Iceme Sub County to gather support for Junior Samuel Engola, the NRM candidate in the by-election, Ayena credited the president for steering steady economic transformation in the country.

“I have worked very hard for UPC but failed. I was lost; there is nothing in UPC; it’s now just the name. Now I have realized that NRM has more support in parliament; imagine UPC with only seven MPs,” said Lawyer Ayena.

Ayena, who described himself as an NRM prodigal son, informed the President that he is also ready to work with the government.

“Your Excellency, you know that I’m your prodigal son who once surrendered myself to your stewardship. You mentored me for more than five years when I sat with you on the same table when you were the chairman of the National Enterprise Corporation and I was the Secretary General. Mr. President, I’m also ready for any deployment in any available capacity; I am able,” said Lawyer Ayena.

Some of the notable opposition supporters who defected to the NRM and were welcomed by the President include former Lira district Council Speaker George Rashid Opio and George Ojwang Opota, a former district councilor in Lira, among others.