Gulu City Woman MP Betty Aol Ocan has dismissed speculation that she is planning to defect to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The clarification follows her recent visit to State House Entebbe, where she and other opposition legislators from the Acholi sub-region held a meeting with President Yoweri Museveni.
Aol explained that the meeting was part of a broader strategy by regional leaders to seek solutions to the challenges facing the Acholi sub-region.
She stressed that the purpose of the visit was to present a memorandum to the president not to lay the groundwork for joining the NRM. Aol reaffirmed her commitment to the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), a breakaway faction of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), saying she has no intention of abandoning her party.
“This is not the first time I have met the president. Museveni is the president of all Ugandans. Meeting him shouldn’t be misinterpreted,” she said.
“We cannot run away from Uganda. Constitutionally, we have a right to speak to the president. That doesn’t mean we’ve crossed. I am a strong opposition MP—FDC-Katonga. Let it be clear to every Ugandan: I am not defecting.”
Aol also stated that if she were ever to consider crossing over to the NRM, she would first consult her constituents before making any decision.
Gilbert Olanya: “We’re Still in the Opposition” Kilak South MP Gilbert Olanya, also a member of the FDC, echoed Aol’s sentiments. Although he did not attend the State House meeting, Olanya said the initiative to engage with the government was jointly developed by opposition MPs from the region after reviewing the dire state of land conflicts, poverty, and delayed compensation in Acholi.
“I’ve heard people say I’ve joined the NRM. Others say those who went to meet the president were bribed. No. People just talk,” he said. “We were only taking our demands to the president—nothing more. And those who have officially crossed made public declarations. The Bible says you cannot hide your character. If you’ve crossed, it will be known.”
Olanya mentioned that only three leaders from Acholi had publicly declared their move to the NRM: Martin Ojara Mapenduzi (Bardege-Layibi Division MP), Anthony Akol (Kilak North MP), and the Amuru district LC V chairperson.
“They made their pronouncements and crossed to NRM. We wish them well. But the rest of us are still in the opposition, and we shall remain in the opposition,” he added.
The March 13 State House meeting brought together several legislators from Acholi, including Santa Okot (Aruu North MP), Okin PP Ojara (Chua West MP), and Lucy Akello (Amuru Woman MP), among others.
Last year, at least 10 opposition MPs from the Acholi sub-region launched a collaborative initiative dubbed ‘Operation Harmony’, aimed at working with the government across political divides to advance the region’s development.
During the meeting with President Museveni, the legislators raised several concerns, including delayed cattle compensation, the need for a transitional justice framework, management of land conflicts, rising poverty levels, collapse of the education and health sectors. Despite working with the government, the MPs reiterated that their loyalty to the opposition remains intact and their efforts are solely driven by the interests of the Acholi people.
