By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
SOROTI
Members of the Democratic Party’s (DP) National Executive Committee (NEC) are divided over the cooperation agreement signed between their party and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Tensions reportedly flared during the ongoing NEC meeting at May 7 Hotel in Soroti yesterday when DP Deputy President for Buganda, Hon. Fred Mukasa Mbidde, tabled a motion seeking to terminate the agreement.
“There is clear evidence that we have a cooperation agreement, but no evidence that there is actual cooperation,” Mbidde argued.
According to him, the agreement has failed to yield any meaningful results, and the NRM has violated the core principles it was based on. He emphasized that the agreement was meant to include dialogue on political transition and respect for human rights, which, he claimed, have not been upheld. Mbidde challenged the NRM to justify why the agreement should not be revoked.
Signed in July 2022 by DP President Nobert Mao and witnessed by NRM Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong and DP Secretary General Gerald Siranda, the agreement was intended to foster constitutionalism, human rights, and a peaceful transition of power.
However, since its signing, many DP members have opposed the agreement, arguing that Mao did not consult them beforehand.
Addressing the NEC meeting, Mao, who also serves as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, accused some party members of undermining both him and the cooperation agreement. He urged members to focus on DP’s responsibilities within the agreement rather than solely criticizing NRM’s role.
“My leaders totally disheartened me, they weakened in every utterance on TV such that even other parties stopped respecting me,” Mao lamented.
“Some of those opposing the agreement never supported me in the first place. They are toxic members within the party,” he added.
Mao also clarified that the agreement is not indefinite, stating that it has an expiry date set for January next year. The corporation agreement is expected to top the discussion in the National Council meeting today.
