Kampala — OVER 120 FDC boda-boda cyclists in Hoima district on Sunday defected to the NRM party at Hoima Public Primary School.

The cyclists handed over their party cards to the patron of Keep NRM Alive Bunyoro task force, Dr. Kasigwa Byenkya.

"You are all welcome to the Movement house. It is a big house which can accommodate everybody who needs stability, development and unity in the country," Byenkya said.

He added: "We shall support you and I also appeal to you to join us in mobilising support for NRM so that we stay in power and our people continue enjoying good leadership."

Last week, the state minister for local government, Hope Mwesigye, announced the abolition of the boda-boda tax, saying she was implementing a directive from President Yoweri Museveni

Bernard Kitara, a former FDC member who defected to NRM and is now a member of the task force, said he would continue organising more people to join his party.

The defectors were among over 6,000 cyclists who took to the streets of the town to celebrate the removal of the tax.

The group, led by a convoy chanting Museveni praises, clashed with the Police who tried to stop them from celebrating.

Hoima mayor Francis Atugonza has for the last one month been in conflict with the Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Public Service, Henry Kajura and the resident district commissioner, Martha Asiimwe, for opposing the tax.

Kajura yesterday said: "The mayor should not disturb our people. The tax has been abolished and he has no choice, so let him cool down."