Mr Reagan Okumu, the newly elected Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party Vice President for Northern Uganda has warned opposition party supporters against attacking those who have switched political camps.
Okumu who also doubles as Chairperson Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG) said some individuals who have defected to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party have not crossed because of political ideology but rather looking for survival.
Addressing his supporters at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu town on Friday, Okumu said everyone has a choice when it comes to a party that he wants to support.
The Aswa County legislator told his supporters, “Accept that Uganda is facing a tough economic time and switching political camps could be one of the survival tactics people have resorted to in order to make ends meet.”
Okumu and Kitgum Woman MP, Beatrice Atim Anywar were elected as senior FDC officials during recent party elections in Kampala.
The FDC leader says supporting a different party is not a crime and urged people in the north to tolerate differing views as the country move closer to 2016 general elections.
But Mr Mike Nyeko Ocula, the former MP for Kilak County in Amuru district who crossed for NRM party said his recent defection is purely political and not a survival tactic.
He also challenged individuals who think he is desperate for money to come forward and list his problems that can be solved by cash.