Lawrence Alionzi, popularly known as Dangote and former Makerere University guild president, has officially crossed from the National Unity Platform (NUP) to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.
Alionzi, who was running on the NUP card in 2022 beat seven others including NRM’s Hussein Ibra in the Makerere guild race.
He garnered 5,839 votes to beat closes rival, Hussein Ibra who garnered 2,079 votes.
Alionzi also expressed his political ambition by picking nomination forms for the Arua City mayoral seat.
“I was the guild president of Makerere on the National Unity platform ticket, and today I was officially received into the mighty movement by the Secretary General of NRM,” Alionzi said, confirming his defection.
Alionzi, who served as the 88th guild president of Makerere University, cited his desire to actively shape the development of Arua City as the main motivation for his political shift.
“I’ve picked nomination forms for the position of Mayor Arua City and I will be running to seek the flag of the mighty movement,” he stated.
He further emphasized the need for active participation in the transformation of his community, adding that his new political path aligns with a cause focused on uplifting citizens from poverty.
He noted that the reason for his conversion is because he wants to be a participant not just as a spectator, in shaping the future of his city and he believes that can only happen with NRM where the struggle is to fight against poverty.
Speaking while receiving him in the party, NRM Secretary General, Richard Todwong hailed Alionzi for the decision.
‘’People like you are joining NRM in a massive way. It is very, very humbling. And I want to encourage more to come and join NRM. Because this revolution, like the president says, is not something that is for a face. It’s permanent. Because as society keeps changing, it’s different forms and dynamics. New leaders in different generations keep joining and others fade off, others keep joining. It’s a movement,” said Todwong.
He added that the movement started with NRM founding fathers; a few of them are still serving, which is very important for members to note.
‘’Others have faded off. We are there. We are now growing old in the revolution. Our time is coming. We shall also fade off. We need to recruit more people to come for the revolution to keep moving. And so it’s an honor that you young people are coming to join. Now, we recruit discipline, loyalty above anything.”
