DP denies links with rebel groups

By Jeff Andrew Lule and Andrew Ssenyonga

THE Democratic Party (DP) has distanced itself from claims that it has links with the alleged ‘rebel groups’, a clarification made by the party president, Nobert Mao.

Addressing a weekly press briefing at the party office in Kampala on Tuesday, Mao said his party has never thought of using unconstitutional means to change government.

“We deny any allegations that we are terrorists. We are not. We are going to meet government officials to discuss the matter,” he said.

Mao said DP, Uganda’s oldest party does not believe in war to bring change but rather has always pushed for constitutional reform.

This follows security reports over the weekend that politicians including those of DP are linked to the two rebel groups, Uganda People’s Federal Alliance (UPFA) and Uganda National Front/ Army (UNF/A) intending to overthrow the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.

The report indicated that over 60 people including police officers linked to the two groups were arrested in a joint operation with various intelligence organizations a few weeks back.

The DP party head demanded that those arrested be released or be taken to court to face the law.

He said government was now using boogieman of rebels to intimidate the opposition, adding that such moves are clear indications that “a government is about to fall.”

He said he was even surprised to hear the army spokesperson, Felix Kulayigye commenting on internal crimes instead of the Police doing so.

According to the overall security structure of the country, the Police is in charge of internal security while the army takes care of external security.

Mao called on other opposition parties to desist from protests and demonstrations and instead focus on a harmonized national conference with the ruling government for a national consensus.

DP has also launched campus outreach programs to groom young leaders across the country. Mao urged the Makerere University Guild President elect, Ivan Kata to serve all students without discrimination.

The new students’ leader of Uganda’s oldest university is a DP faithful.