Don't abandon DP, MP Lumu tells members

The Deputy Whip of the Democratic Party, Richard Lumu, has asked party members not to abandon the truth and justice organisation, saying there is still hope of bringing sanity in its lifespan.

This comes after a group of DP members led by the former chairperson of Masaka District, Jude Mbabaali, crossed to the Opposition National Unity Platform.

“It’s unfortunate that some members are leaving the Democratic Party  yet these could be the pillars ahead of the 2026 general poll,” MP Lumu said.

The party's deputy whip urged members to embrace the ongoing registration of new members in the party structures.

Speaking to Nile Post at Parliament, Mityana South MP Lumu also wants the DP President General Nobert Mao to consider calling for a dialogue to avoid mass defection of members.

Lumu is however concerned that the agreement signed between the Democratic Party and President Museveni does not favour the growth of the DP but only the ruling Party NRM.

“I took my time to read through this agreement that Mao signed but the truth is the Democratic Party is the loser,” MP Lumu admitted.

“The agreement talks about giving Democratic Party four ministerial positions, some positions to head parliamentary committees, but now the cabinet reshuffle was done, tell me except Mao who else was appointed a minister or a head of a parliamentary committee?" he said.

"None, this agreement was for Mao to get a ministerial position, not for DP to benefit."

In July 2022, Mr Mao entered DP into a cooperation agreement with President Museveni and the ruling National Resistance Movement party.

Calling it a milestone, Mao, who was later named Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister, said the agreement was a continuous journey "which started before some of them were born".

He told Museveni that he now has the historical opportunity to gather party members scattered all over Uganda.

“You must look for them wherever they are in all the political parties and in all the corners of Uganda,” Mao said, adding that documents signed show that they have managed to resolve the contradictions that they have been having.