Police in Kampala have arrested eight members of the Democratic Party for attempting to break into the party offices after being denied entry. The suspects are currently being held at the Old Kampala police station on charges yet to be established.
The group led by the Buikwe South MP Lulume Bayiga, stormed the DP headquarters on Balintuma road in Mengo, Kampala, alleging that the Party had called members for a seminar that they were entitled to attend.
Lulume argues that it's their right as recognized members of the DP to convene at the headquarters any time they deem fit and to address concerns affecting the party since the president General Norbert Mao, signed a cooperation deal with the ruling government.
“We heard over the radio that there is going to be a seminar here, I am a chairperson of a committee that is revamping the party, after our party president who went to serve with the Junta, before I came here, I heard that members who were coming to assemble peacefully were arrested at a time I'm supposed to address them on issues. The party headquarters must remain open even if Mao was bought off.” Lulume stated
Meanwhile, the DP spokesperson Okoler Opio Lo Amanu says that the group, whose intentions were unknown, invaded the party offices. He adds that the act is one of indiscipline.
“Democratic Party leadership is committed to organizing the venue for party members who wish to utilize the party premises for among others holding functions. We shall gladly organize when they reorganize,” He says
Okelor adds that the party has guidelines and procedures that one must follow before entering.
“Though being a party premise there is an established procedure that at least is known to members of DP to access and use it for any function, this was not followed so the leadership regrettably learnt of the incident after it had occurred,” Okoler said.
In July, four DP MPs including Mityana South MP, Richard Lumu, Bukoto Central MP, Richard Sebamala, Buikwe South MP, Lulume Bayiga, and Kyotera County MP, John Paul Mpalanyi demanded the immediate resignation of Mao.
The group stated that Mao cannot continue leading the DP since the current developments indicate that he has crossed to NRM.
