By Ben Musanje
Members of the Democratic Party (DP) operating under the pressure group DP at Heart have dismissed claims that they are proxies of former Speaker of Parliament Anita Among while launching a fresh attack on the leadership of party president Norbert Mao over what they describe as widespread corruption, financial mismanagement, and the collapse of internal democracy within Uganda’s oldest political party.
Addressing journalists during a press conference at Batva Hotel in Kampala on Saturday, the group accused the current DP leadership of running the party as a private enterprise while ignoring constitutional structures and accountability mechanisms. (Detailed presser video can be accessed via this YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PgpYzB3AuU&t=241s; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pt-lhl8uzi0; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0QnQ5pF8pk&t=194s)
The group simultaneously revealed that it had petitioned the Electoral Commission demanding urgent intervention to restore order and legality within the party.
Speaking on behalf of DP at Heart, Ismael Kiirya rejected allegations that reformists within the party were being sponsored by external political actors, particularly Speaker Anita Among.
“We are genuine Democratic Party members concerned about the future of our party. Our struggle is about restoring transparency, democracy, and accountability. We are not proxies of anybody,” Kiirya told reporters.
The pressure group’s petition paints a grim picture of the state of affairs within the Democratic Party, alleging systemic corruption and abuse of office by senior party officials.
Among the issues raised is the controversial National Delegates’ Conference held in Mbarara last year. According to the petitioners, millions of shillings allocated for delegates’ welfare were allegedly mismanaged, leaving many delegates without accommodation and meals despite substantial budgets being approved.
The group specifically accused party officials of deliberately frustrating delegates from certain regions, particularly Central Uganda, by denying them basic welfare services during the conference.
“Delegates were starved and left stranded for several days while funds meant for their welfare remain unaccounted for,” Kiirya said.
The petition further alleges that contestants and delegates were subjected to inflated nomination fees, only for some of them to be excluded from participation lists without explanation or reimbursement.
DP at Heart also questioned why several incumbent leaders allegedly participated in elections without paying nomination fees while ordinary members were required to make substantial payments.
Beyond financial concerns, the reformists revived long-standing questions regarding the disappearance of a high-capacity printing press reportedly purchased by the party before the 2016 General Elections at a cost exceeding UGX 250 million.
According to the group, the printery played a significant role during the 2016 campaigns but mysteriously disappeared shortly after the elections.
“For over five years, party auditors have continuously raised concerns regarding this asset, but no satisfactory explanation has ever been provided,” the petition states.
The group further accused party leaders of operating under what they termed a “forged constitution.”
According to DP at Heart, amendments allegedly introduced into the party constitution were never approved by the appropriate organs but were nevertheless submitted to the Electoral Commission and later used to govern party activities.
The petitioners claim that although the Electoral Commission declined to gazette the disputed constitutional amendments following complaints from party members, the current leadership continues to rely on the contested document when making major decisions.
“This has created confusion and uncertainty regarding the legitimate constitutional framework of the party,” Kiirya said.
The group also accused the leadership of refusing to convene statutory party organs, including the National Council and Parliamentary Group, for fear of facing internal accountability measures.
Instead, they allege, critical decisions are being made by a small clique of leaders without proper consultation.
Another major concern raised by DP at Heart relates to the alleged destruction of grassroots structures ahead of the 2025 National Delegates’ Conference.
The petition claims that party leaders deliberately dismantled local structures and abandoned primary elections, paving the way for the handpicking of delegates and candidates based on loyalty rather than democratic competition.
The reformists also criticized the Electoral Commission for what they described as failure to exercise its supervisory role over political parties.
According to the petition, more than 20 complaints submitted by party members remain unresolved despite a 2025 High Court ruling directing the commission to address internal disputes within the Democratic Party.
DP at Heart has now called for a comprehensive forensic audit of party finances, clarification of the party’s legitimate constitution, and urgent intervention to restore internal democracy.
The group warned that unless decisive action is taken, the Democratic Party risks further division and political decline.
By press time, neither DP President Norbert Mao nor party Secretary General Gerald Siranda had publicly responded to the allegations raised by the pressure group. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
