Democratic Party (DP) is facing a deepening internal rift as the party Vice President Fred Mukasa Mbidde openly opposed the cooperation agreement with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in front of DP delegates during a conference in Soroti.
The growing discord threatens to fracture Uganda’s oldest political party with Mbidde and other members accusing DP President Norbert Mao of betraying the party’s core values.
Mbidde’s opposition to the NRM-DP agreement which was signed by Mao and President Museveni in July 2022 at State House Entebbe has reignited tensions among party members.
Opposition argue that the deal has undermined DP’s historical role as an opposition force effectively turning it into a political accessory of the NRM regime.
Supporters of the agreement on the other hand, claim it offers DP a seat at the table and a chance to influence national governance from within.
Speaking on the matter, Mbidde did not mince words stating that DP should remain independent and resist what he calls a systematic takeover by the NRM.
“We cannot trade our legacy and struggle for multiparty democracy in exchange for a few government positions,” he said, warning that continued cooperation with the ruling party could lead to DP’s complete disintegration.
The controversy has sparked heated debates within DP’s ranks with some members rallying behind Mbidde while others remain loyal to Mao.
Party insiders suggest that if the dispute is not resolved, it could lead to mass defections or even the formation of a breakaway faction.
Mao who currently serves as Uganda’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs under Museveni’s government has defended the agreement arguing that it provides a practical approach to governance.
“Our engagement with the NRM is about the future of Uganda not just party politics,” he said dismissing claims that he sold out DP’s independence.
As the battle for DP’s soul intensifies, the broader political implications cannot be ignored. The party has historically been a key player in Uganda’s opposition landscape and any shift in its direction will likely have ripple effects across the country’s political spectrum.
