A delegation from a pressure group within the Democratic Party known as DP at Heart has held a consultative meeting with Prof. Germina Namatovu Ssemogerere, the window of former party president, Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere.
The meeting was her residence in Rubaga, as part of efforts to revitalise the party’s grassroots structures.
The delegation, which included Edith Byanyima, Julius Dumba, Waddimba Anthony and Kirya Ismail, said the visit was both a gesture of solidarity and an opportunity to draw lessons from the legacy of the late Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere, the party’s former president general.
During the meeting, emphasised her long-standing ties to the party, dismissing suggestions that her involvement was tied to her marriage.
“I married Ssemogerere in 1974… Ssemogerere didn’t bring me to DP; he found me in DP,” she said.
She reflected on the late leader’s organisational philosophy, stressing that his political strength lay in grassroots mobilisation.
“He started at the village… he never allowed people to start from the top; it was always a bottom-up approach. There was that village/cell relationship,” she said, before questioning the origins of some current actors within the party.
“I don’t know where some people who are disturbing the party originated from?”
Turning to the broader political environment in Uganda, Prof. Germina cited financial inducement as a major challenge undermining political integrity.
“People need to be doing something to support themselves and the Democratic Party. It’s the root cause of all the difficulties that are happening in politics. People are greedy for money and this is what Yoweri Museveni uses as bait,” she said.
She also cautioned political actors against resorting to violence, referencing advice she said had been shared with opposition figures including Robert Kyagulanyi.
“Please never ever use the gun because the moment you use a gun you will be held by that blood and haunted forever. This we told him also,” she said.
The delegation checked on her well-being following a recent fire that destroyed parts of the family home.
Among the items that survived, she noted, was a notebook belonging to her late husband, commonly referred to as the “Black Book.”
Julius Dumba, said members had reviewed the contents of the book and pledged to continue its legacy.
“As leaders of DP at Heart we saw the black book… and we have seen people’s names which Ssemogerere talked about… Those who committed atrocities to the party and the country. We vowed to continue with the black book… every citizen should continue to write and forward names,” he said.
Prof. Germina also weighed in on internal party tensions, taking aim at current DP president Norbert Mao.
“Mao’s problem is that he thought he has money and he will use it against the party membership and buy everyone… he’s spoiling the party. He’s a dependent to the regime because of money… and he’s held at ransom,” she said.
Ismail Kirya said the visit was intended to reconnect with the party’s historical foundations while strengthening resolve among members.
“We are not only here to pay our respects, but to listen, learn, and draw strength from those who have carried the party’s legacy through thick and thin,” he said.
He noted that political actors such as Kizza Besigye and Kyagulanyi have faced similar pressures.
“The regime will do anything to disrupt you, disorganise and threaten you,” he added.
Meanwhile, Anna Namakula, daughter of the late Ssemogerere, briefed the delegation on plans to establish a Ugandan arm of the PK Ssemogerere Leadership Institute, which is currently based in the United States and focuses on leadership training and economic empowerment initiatives.
Prof. Germina expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as timely and reassuring, and pledged continued support for efforts aimed at rebuilding the party along the principles championed by her late husband.
DP at Heart leaders said they intend to sustain similar engagements as part of a broader strategy to reorganise the party from the grassroots and restore its political relevance.
