By Ben Musanje
The Office of the Inspector General of Government (IGG) has commenced investigations into allegations of financial mismanagement and the disappearance of a key asset belonging to the Democratic Party (DP) following a petition filed by pressure group DP At Heart.
In an update issued on June 25, DP At Heart announced that the anti-corruption body had acknowledged receipt of its petition under reference number HQT/CO/837/2026 and had begun investigating the matters raised.
The petition, which was formally submitted to the IGG on June 4, calls for what the group describes as a comprehensive, independent and transparent investigation into alleged corruption, embezzlement of party funds and the unexplained disappearance of the party’s printery, an asset the group says was under the custody of the Secretary General.
According to DP At Heart, the printery disappeared without any satisfactory explanation or official accounting, raising concerns over the management of party assets.
“The petition called for a full, independent, and transparent investigation into how the party printery, which was under the direct custody of the Secretary General, disappeared without any proper accounting or explanation,” the group said in a statement.
Beyond the missing printery, the pressure group also alleges possible financial impropriety involving Democratic Party resources. It further claims there may have been collusion between the party’s external auditors, Allied Certified Public Accountants, and certain party officials in an attempt to shield those responsible from accountability.
The statement, however, does not provide evidence to substantiate the allegations, and neither the Democratic Party leadership nor Allied Certified Public Accountants had publicly responded to the claims by the time of publication.
DP At Heart has appealed to current and former party officials, staff members and members of the public to provide information that could assist the ongoing investigations.
The group is specifically seeking information regarding the current whereabouts or disposal of the party printery, any alleged misuse or unexplained loss of party funds, and any irregularities in the handling or auditing of party assets.
According to the group, all information submitted will be treated confidentially before being compiled and forwarded to the Inspector General of Government to aid the investigations.
“We therefore appeal to all Democratic Party members, former officials, staff, and members of the general public who may possess credible information to come forward,” the statement reads.
DP At Heart said it remains committed to pursuing the matter through every stage of the investigation to ensure what it describes as transparency, accountability and justice within Uganda’s oldest political party.
The pressure group argued that political parties, particularly institutions with a long history such as the Democratic Party, have a responsibility to uphold high standards of financial integrity and prudent management of public and party resources.
It further contended that the disappearance of a significant party asset without explanation, if established, would undermine internal democracy, erode public confidence and weaken the party’s institutional effectiveness.
“The disappearance of a significant party asset without explanation undermines internal democracy, erodes public trust, and weakens the party’s ability to operate effectively,” the statement noted.
The Inspector General of Government is constitutionally mandated to investigate allegations of corruption, abuse of office and maladministration in public institutions and, where applicable, other entities falling within its jurisdiction. The acknowledgement of the petition indicates that the office has accepted the complaint for review, although no findings have yet been made regarding the allegations.
The investigation comes at a time when questions of accountability and internal governance continue to feature prominently within Uganda’s political parties as preparations for future electoral activities gather momentum.
By the time of publication, the Democratic Party leadership had not publicly commented on the allegations or the reported commencement of investigations by the IGG. Similarly, Allied Certified Public Accountants had not responded to the claims of alleged collusion raised in the petition.
The allegations remain under investigation, and no conclusions have been reached by the Inspector General of Government regarding the claims contained in the petition. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
