By Sekaggya Seka Moses
Kampala, Uganda – In a significant political shift, President Yoweri Museveni has officially welcomed Bugweri Member of Parliament Abdu Katuntu and Bardege-Layibi Division MP Martin Ojara Mapenduzi into the National Resistance Movement (NRM) parliamentary caucus.
The announcement was made during a meeting at State House Entebbe last Friday, where NRM members of parliament gathered to discuss the rationalization of government agencies.
President Museveni introduced Katuntu, stating that the once “poisonous mushroom” had seen the light and joined the NRM.
In 2005, Museveni famously referred to Katuntu as a “poisonous mushroom” during a rally in Busesa, Bugweri District, after Katuntu won the Bugweri parliamentary seat as a Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) candidate, defeating Ali Kirunda Kivejinja, who was backed by the NRM.
Museveni’s comments were seen as a sharp rebuke, implying that Katuntu was harmful to the development of the area and the country as a whole.
However, Katuntu took Museveni’s comments as a challenge, using them to galvanize support among his constituents.
Katuntu’s political journey spans over two decades, marked by notable achievements and controversies.
He was first elected to parliament in 2001 and has since served in various capacities.
As a former member of the Pan-African Parliament from Uganda and Rapporteur of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights, Katuntu demonstrated his commitment to regional and international cooperation.
Katuntu also served as the Shadow Attorney General in the Parliament of Uganda until 2018, providing constructive opposition to the government.
His tenure as chairman of the Parliamentary committee on Rules and Discipline showcased his ability to navigate complex parliamentary procedures.
Katuntu’s leadership as chairperson for the parliamentary committee on Commissions Statutory Authorities and State Enterprise (COSASE) from 2016 to 2019 was marked by significant achievements.
Notably, he led the parliamentary committee that recovered 47 billion Ugandan shillings from rogue Chinese road construction firms in 2016.
Katuntu also headed the Parliament of Uganda’s task force on COVID-19, assessing the role of private health players in the pandemic response.
Before joining politics, Katuntu worked for Kadaga and Company Advocates, owned by Rebecca Kadaga, the current First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs.
Katuntu’s affiliation with the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party dates back to 2006, when he lost his parliamentary seat to Kirunda Kivejinja.
He challenged the result, citing widespread malpractices, and won the resulting by-election.
In 2021, Katuntu surprised many by running as an independent candidate and eventually joining the NRM.
Katuntu’s connection to Gen. Mugisha Muntu, the former FDC president, is well-documented.
In 2020, Katuntu encouraged Muntu to form his own party, the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT).
Katuntu had promised to join ANT once legally permitted but instead chose to run as an independent candidate.
Some view Katuntu’s move as a strategic decision to advance his political career, while others see it as a betrayal of his opposition roots.
FDC officials have remained silent, but sources within the party indicate disappointment and betrayal.
Opposition National figures have criticized Katuntu’s move, saying it undermines the opposition’s efforts to unite against the NRM.
As Uganda awaits the anticipated ministerial reshuffle, binocularug.com will be watching to see if Katuntu secures a cabinet position.
Only time will tell how Katuntu’s decision will impact Uganda’s political landscape.
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