The Democratic Party is the oldest political party in Uganda and has played a major role in shaping the country’s political landscape right from the pre-independence error. Despite its place in history and its large support base, the Democratic Party has not taken power since Uganda became an independent country. And it had since lost its prominence to newer parties like Forum for Democratic Change. Over the years inter-bickering and factionalism have become what the party is best known for and analysts have concluded that this is the main reason why DP has remained in the opposition for so long. Recently DP convened a reunion during which it was hoped the party’s internal divisions will be resolved and the process of gaining its glory could begin. “We cannot tolerate any leadership in Africa that wants to ensure we become slaves to other people, no way.”
However, some Democratic Party firebrands like Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze did not show up for the much up tune reunion. “They had discussions of the general politics of the country just like it can happen at any given rally, so it was less a rally.” He accused organizers of focusing attention on attacking and fighting former presidential candidate Dr. Kiiza Besigye instead of addressing issues building the party and how to take power. “The message coming out of Makerere it’s like you can see people ganging up against Dr. Kiiza Besigye. Actually, the central focus now is about Dr. Kiiza Besigye being a stumbling block in the way of some of these political leaders who have ambitions. There are those who have these illusions that as long as Dr. Kiiza Besigye is still very active in the politics of this country, they have no changes of fulfilling their dreams, that’s very absurd.”
Erias Lukwago urged that the Democratic Party has no internal democracy which has affected its growth. “There are lingering issues to do with the tenure of office of the president of the party. Right now, it is in the mind of Hon. Norbert Mao as to when we shall have the next delegates’ conference, there is no clear roadmap.” Said, Erias Lukwago – Kampala Lord Mayor. Numerous vacancies within the party which Lukwago says the leadership has intentionally refused to fill. “…of the electoral body responsible or charged with the duty of organizing party elections should not tell you. Because there isn’t any, actually there is no electoral body within the party, it’s not there.” The latest accusations by Lukwago and other DP members are an indication that Uganda’s oldest party has a long way to go before it truly enacts.