More than 1000 Forum for Democratic Change supporters in Arua this afternoon defected to the ruling National Resistance Movement.
The former FDC supporters led by Angels Atria, the former political assistant to Maracha county MP Alex Onzima, handed over their party cards to Arua Resident District Commissioner Ibrahim Abiriga.
The defectors claimed that they had decided to defect to the NRM to protest Dr. Kizza Besigye's over stay at the helm of the FDC leadership.
Angels Atria said that by clinging to the FDC leadership Besigye has failed to practice the democracy that he preaches. He alleged the opposition is misleading youths and lacks capacity to cause change in the country.
// Cue in: iyou see one thing#i
Cue out#to leave the power.i //
One of the former FDC supporters Juma Atima, from Manibe sub County in Arua district said that he started sacrificing for the party since its inception but had not got anything apart from being harassed by policemen.
Ibrahim Abiriga, the Arua RDC said the mass defection of FDC supporters in the region is a sign that the party is dead in Arua and Maracha-Terego districts. He says they are going to use the FDC defectors and those of UPC to campaign for President Yoweri Museveni come the 2011 elections.
// Cue in: inow we receive#i
Cue out#but in Arua no.i //
However, Swaleh Buga the FDC secretary for security said that, they will not be bothered by people defecting from the party.
He says that people like Atria are driven by material gains and should be disowned.
// Cue in: ithese are amateur#i
Cue out#it is unfortunate.i //
This is not the first time when FDC supporters have allegedly crossed to NRM party in large numbers.
Early this year, during the visit of President Yoweri Museveni to preach his patriotism crusade in Arua he received 2000 defectors from FDC
