Nambooze vows to defy Mao on Buganda meet

The Buganda region Democratic Party vice president, Betty Nambooze has vowed to go on with her planned conference.

This follows a directive by the party president, Nobert Mao stopping Nambooze from holding the meeting, saying it was contrary to the party constitution.

In letter dated March 20, to Nambooze, seen by New Vision, Mao said the party laws give him powers to ensure that party officials perform their duties efficiently, but in accordance with the party constitution and policies.

He noted that the purported meeting is being convened contrary to the party constitution and a standing resolution of the National Executive Meeting (NEC), which requires regional leaders to coordinate their programmes with NEC and get prior approval.

But in her reaction, while addressing the media at Cardinal Nsubuga Leadership Institute in Nsambya, in Kampala, Nambooze said Buganda is her jurisdiction and does not need to get approval to do her work from Mao or NEC.

"Ever since I was appointed to this position, I do nothing because I have no cabinet. Mao has never called a National Council (NC) to give me a cabinet. So, should I just sit there when the party is collapsing?" she asked.

Nambooze said she is not worried about being expelled from the party as along as she is doing the right thing.

"The meeting is going to take place as planned at Sharing Hall in Nsabya for Buganda leaders and no one can stop us. Even those in other regions can attend if they want to deliberate on how to revive our party," she added.   

It is scheduled to take place on March 31 under the theme; "Making DP Great Again".

Nambooze said the meeting is just about reorganizing and mobilizing members to come up with integrated strategies ahead of the 2021 elections.

Among the issues to be discussed include; reforms in the constitution, restoring party organs, establishing a conflict reconciliation committee and the spirit of truth of justice, rebranding the party, and how to regain public trust.

Nambooze said DP is currently, like a vehicle with a flat tyre which a driver expects to drive from Kampala to Mombasa without repairing or replacing it.

"I think Mao is misinformed because what I am doing is good for the party and I think this should also be done in other regions," she added.