Uganda’s Minister for Youth Affairs, Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi has officially crossed to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.
The news of her official defection was confirmed on Tuesday afternoon in a tweet by the president’s press secretary, Lindah Nabusayi.
“Hon. Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi, DP member and Minister for Youth Affairs has today officially crossed from DP to NRM at St. Henry’s Kitovu grounds at a leaders meeting,” Nabusayi tweeted.
Nakiwala, a member of the opposition Democratic Party (DP), was appointed to the cabinet by President Yoweri Museveni in the aftermath of the 2016 General elections that he won.
Her appointment infuriated a section of DP party leaders and supporters.
She was appointed together with other opposition members in a move many analysts said at the time was Museveni giving an indication that his government was all inclusive.
Following her appointment, DP president, Norbert Mao said the party would not back the former Kampala woman Member of Parliament hopeful Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi for President Yoweri Museveni’s new cabinet appointment.
“If Hon. Nakiwala decides to join Museveni’s new cabinet, she does it on her own behalf and interest, and not as a DP member although is still a party member until further notice,” Mao said.
