‘Bad Democratic Party-DP’ dissidents’ leader, Hon Betty Nambooze is gaining more ground against the leadership of their President General, Norbert Mao.
The latest indication is a section of lower Democratic Party-DP officials in Greater Masaka region abandoning Mr Mao.
Greater Masaka Region is comprised of Rakai, Lwengo, Bukomansimbi and Masaka districts. The affected officials sit on the Sub County, constituency and district structures.
According to URN’s Edward Bindhe, the officials have resolved to abandon Mao’s leadership accusing him of incompetence. Gonzaga Kagumba, the Lwengo District DP Organising Secretary, says Mao and the DP Secretary General, Gerald Ssiranda, have failed to convene a delegate’s conference to reflect on the problems in the party.
According to Kagumba, party members in Lwengo are unhappy that Mao has personalized the party and failed to listen to calls for major reforms. In Masaka, only Fred Mukasa Mbidde, the District DP Chairperson and the Party spokesperson, Dennis Majwaala, are still behind Mao’s leadership.
Innocent Kateregga, the Masaka DP Organizing Secretary notes that 98% of the DP structures in the district have joined calls for reforms or the parallel party leadership.
According to Kateregga, Mao and his executive have become too docile and dull, which has prompted other members to defect to the ruling National Resistance Movement party.
He cites the Youth and Children’s Affairs Minister, Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi and former DP National Chairman, Hajj Muhammad Beswale who was recently appointed Ambassador.
Bonny Kasujja, the DP Chairman Masaka municipality, says Mao’s reign is a liability to the party. According to Kasujja, Mao only concentrates on suppressing descent within the party as opposed to finding solutions to key problems.
He also accuses Mao of failing to mobilise resources to boost the financial capacity of the party to operate effectively. Norbert Mao, the Democratic Party President has dismissed the demands by the party members as baseless.
He blames Betty Nambooze, the suspended DP Vice President in Charge Buganda Region for inciting those against his leadership because he is not a Muganda. He however, says they will not succeed.
On Sunday, police blocked a rally organised by some DP leaders in Masaka purportedly to discuss party wrangles and reforms. Police used teargas and rubber bullets to stop the leaders who tried to defy a directive not to continue with the gathering.
