As campaigns for the 2011 general elections in Uganda enter high gear, the opposition Uganda People’s Congress has suffered a major setback with its key members defecting to the ruling National Resistance Movement.

Badru Wegulo, former UPC President

Former UPC party President, Al hajj Badru Wegulo, and former Vice Chairman, Henry Mayega led a group of other UPC big men to the NRM.

The two announced their defection today as NRM Chairman and flag bearer, President Yoweri Museveni unveiled his fourth term election manifesto at Serena Hotel.

Museveni described the defection of Wegulo, Mayega and other top UPC members as significant for his party and campaign for re-election. The President said NRM is ready to work with all Uganda willing to join it for the development of the country.

Mayega and Wegulo promised to campaign for NRM and President Museveni in the 2011 general elections, thereby denying substantial support to UPC party President Olara Otunu who is giving his first try at the presidential seat.

The UPC, one of Uganda’s oldest political parties has led Uganda twice, from 1962-1970 and from 1980 to 1985, both times under the late Appollo Milton Obote.

It was not possible to get an official comment from UPC on the defections, but a senior party member said on condition of anonymity that it is unbelievable that Wegulo and Mayega who for years decampaigned Museveni and led weekly press briefings abusing the NRM government had decided to work with the same government and the man they said for long is leading the country backwards.

Cecilia Ogwal

UPC Iron lady, Cecilia Ogwal also recently defected officially from the party and joined the Forum for Democratic Change, and was elected the national Vice Chairperson of the Inter Party Coalition that is backing the main opposition leader, Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye for the 2011 Presidential elections scheduled for February 18^th 2011.

Wegulo, Mayega, Ogwal and former UPC President Dr. James Rwanyarare are the ones that registered the current UPC after political parties were allowed to operate in 2005.