Democratic Party supporters in Masaka, loyal to party President Norbert Mao, have turned against him, reversing an initial decision to endorse the suspension of party Vice President Betty Nambooze.
Squabbles among party members escalated last month when a section of members of the DP National Executive Committee suspended Betty Nambooze Bakireke, hitherto, the party Vice President for Buganda Region, for three months for allegedly splitting the party.
This decision, taken by a group led by Norbert Mao, received vast support among party members in Masaka region. These include area legislators Mary Babirye Kabanda and Florence Namayanja, among others. However, the group has since changed goalposts.
Mary Babirye Kabanda, the Masaka district MP told the media that at least 200 DP members that convened a meeting at Mariana Gardens in Kyabakuza over the weekend resolved to invite Nambooze to listen to her position.
Kabanda explains that they want to accord audience to all party members with pending disciplinary issues. She further notes that members resolved to stop involving police and soldiers in resolving internal party conflicts.
Similarly, Former Democratic Party Vice President John Kawanga accuses DP leaders of being selfish. He says that top DP Leaders are using their positions for selfish interests disregarding the views of ordinary party members.
The latest development comes in the wake of escalating wrangles within Democratic Party which have seen two meetings organized in Masaka last month and Luweero at the weekend foiled by police.
The party is now characterized by wrangles and factions. One faction is led by Norbert Mao, deputized by Fred Mukasa Mbidde while the other is championed by MPs Betty Nambooze, Mathias Mpuuga and Medard Lubega Seggona.
