DP sets up probe on internal party wrangles

The Democratic Party (DP) has set up a three-member committee to probe issues that are causing disharmony within the​party thus "undermining its unity and strength". 

The three-member committee which was appointed by the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) is to investigate the wrangles within the party according to party president Nobert Mao. 

The committee members led by Polly Mukiibi, Deogratias Hasubi Njoki (deputy chairperson) and Regina Bakitte (secretary) are expected to make a report and recommendations to the party's NEC after the probe. 

According to a statement from the committee chairperson Polly Mukiibi, the committee will among other stakeholders seek views of the past leaders of the party, the leaders in the branches of the party and the ordinary member. 

The team commenced its work last week by first interviewing the party's current top leadership. 

"I also appeared before the committee last Tuesday, the vice president, secretary general and the national treasurer have also appeared and today we have leaders from Kasese who are appearing and many others," Mao revealed. 

This was on Tuesday during the weekly press briefing at the party secretariat at City House in Kampala. 

"The committee is continuing to hear and collect views. Any stakeholder who has DP at heart and would wish to contribute views towards what they feel could be the core causes of wrangles and disharmony in the party and their solutions are free to get in touch or register at the party secretariat," Mao said. 

It should be noted that the party has had some wrangles over time with some members drifting away from the party while others have been suspended. 

The most recent case was that of the Buganda region DP vice president, Betty Nambooze who was suspended from the party after she reportedly snubbed summons to appear before the party's NEC over her conduct that was "undermining the party's unity and constitution". 

The wrangle was sparked by Nambooze's defiance of Mao's directive that was halting her from holding a Buganda region conference which the party said was contrary to its constitution and a standing resolution of the NEC that requires regional leaders to coordinate their programmes with the committee and get prior approval. 

Nambooze did not heed to this stating that Buganda is her jurisdiction and therefore did not need approval from Mao or the NEC to constitute her work.