JEEMA Founder Kibirige Mayanja Crosses Over to NUP — A Political Earthquake
In a move that has sent shockwaves across Uganda’s political alliances, Kibirige Mayanja, the founding Chairperson of the Justice Forum (JEEMA), officially defected today to the National Unity Platform (NUP). The announcement came at a post-nomination rally in Kampala, where Mayanja declared that he could no longer align with JEEMA’s leadership, citing failure of internal party structures to deliver meaningful growth.
Who Is Kibirige Mayanja
Mayanja is a veteran politician. He founded JEEMA decades ago, and over the years has been seen as a moderate, yet principled voice within Uganda’s opposition. Though JEEMA has never had the mass mobilization of NUP or NRM, his stature, experience, and reputation provide weight to his political moves.
What He Said
At the rally, Mayanja explained his decision with blunt honesty. He stated:
“I am not leaving my Political Party JEEMA because I hate it, but because those we trusted to lead it forward have failed. For 30 years, JEEMA has struggled without growth. As its founder, I pressed the exit button and chose to walk with NUP, where I see real hope for Change.”
He also revealed that there were private discussions with Bobi Wine and party leadership, and that in NUP’s future governance plans, he had been promised (at least symbolically) a key leadership role — some narratives suggest the role would be akin to a prime ministerial figure in a hypothetical NUP government.
Strategic Significance
Boost to NUP Legitimacy: Having Mayanja join adds a layer of gravitas and experience to NUP. It’s not just youthful energy; it’s also older political capital moving toward the party.
JEEMA’s Position Weakens: For JEEMA, this is a blow. Losing their founder could trigger internal fault lines, possibly more defections or apathy among members.
Signal of Realignments: As we approach 2026, alliances are being rethought. Politicians are positioning themselves not just for elections but for what comes after. Mayanja’s move may trigger further shifts among smaller parties or independent actors.
Messaging Power: The defection gives NUP another talking point: that even political veterans believe NUP is where the future lies. It supports the narrative of momentum and growing political confidence in the opposition.
Risks & Questions
Promises vs. Reality: Whether Mayanja’s promised role will be actualised (beyond symbolic inclusion) remains to be seen. There is always risk of marginalisation even after defection.
Perception Among Supporters: Some JEEMA loyalists might view the move as betrayal, opportunism, or compromise. NUP must manage how this is perceived among both older opposition circles and NUP’s base (youth, grassroots).
Internal Strains in NUP: Absorbing prominent defectors can create internal friction — over positions, over resources, over who leads or influences strategy. NUP’s internal cohesion will be tested.
How Ruling Party Reacts: Expect NRM and government-aligned media to seek to spin this defection as opportunistic or evidence of internal decay within the opposition, or attempt to minimise its impact.
Kibirige Mayanja’s defection to NUP is more than a headline — it’s a bellwether. It underscores how opposition politics in Uganda are shifting, with actors perceiving that the balance of power may be tilting. For NUP, it’s a win both in optics and potential influence. But the real question is: will this translate into stronger political organization, better policy offerings, and deeper trust from Ugandans who have long felt politically marginalised?
