DP secures sh800m for its flag-bearers

The Democratic Party (DP) has said it has secured over sh800m to support its flag-bearers during the parliamentary elections.

According to the party, the funds are meant to cater for the nomination fees (sh3m), required by the Electoral Commission (EC) for an aspirant for the position of Member of Parliament to be nominated.

"We will pay the nomination fees for all our flag-bearers for the position of MP, and also print for them campaign posters. Those that have already paid should take their receipts to the party treasurer for a refund," the party national spokesperson, Okoler Opio Lo Amanu, said during the party's weekly press briefing at party headquarters in Kampala on Tuesday, October 13. 

Amanu said the part has received 300 applications from MP aspirants in different constituencies around the country. He said a l t h o u g h they have confirmed 290 MP aspirants as their flag bearers, the vetting process in some constituencies are still going on.

FUNDS FROM GENEROUS FRIENDS

The party, however, declined to reveal their source of funding, saying it could disrupt their partners' work wherever they are.

"The party has existed for many years and made many friends. It is these people and organisations that are giving us funds," Amanu said.

DP said they have not yet received money from the Electoral Commission (EC) to help them run their election programmes.

"Since some MPs left their former parties for others, there was confusion as to whether the EC should forward money for these MPs to their old or new parties," he explained.

Amanu, however, said the EC has agreed to give the money to former parties of the MPs that moved since it is on those parties' tickets that they won parliamentary seats.

MAO FOR PRESIDENT

He said Democratic Party has collected two million signatures for the nomination of Norbert Mao as the party's flag-bearer for the presidency.

In 2011, when Mao contested as a presidential candidate he polled a paltry 149,917 votes (1.9%). "We hope to have three million signatures from around the country by the end of this week to second Mao," the party's spokesperson said.