JINJA – The highly anticipated Democratic Party (DP) reunion slated for today, Wednesday 20, in Jinja Town may not take place after police deployed heavily, saying it is illegal.
DP and its Uganda Young Democrats (UYD) were expected to hold a reunion meeting at Jinja Rugby Grounds, with several high profile politicians, including Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, expected to attend.
However, two residents awoke to heavy police deployment, with anti-riot officers and pickup trucks seen patrolling the streets while the road leading to the meeting venue was also cut off by police.
Kiira region police spokesperson Dianah Nandaula said DP did not follow the right guidelines and the reunion will not take place.
“I am here (at the Police Station) with Norbert Mao trying to convince him to inform the public that the reunion is not going to take place,’’ Ms Nandaula said.
By 11am, opposition leaders, including Mr Sam Walter Lubega, DP President General Nobert Mao, Abed Bwanika and Sulaiman Kidandala were seen at Jinja Central Police Station trying to engage police on the way forward. The reunion is expected to draw figures from across the political divide including Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), JEEMA, Conservative Party, Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) and People Power
Mr Mao was later expected to address a press conference.
Uganda’s oldest party, the Democratic Party has since last year been organising revival meetings with its youth wing, UYD. The party has of recent been entangled in fights especially between members loyal to the current leadership led by Norbert Mao and those opposed to the leadership.
Early this year, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) joined DP to form what they dubbed a formidable ‘opposition block’. Before the union, SDP was led by former Makindye East MP, Mr Micheal Mabiike while PDP was commanded by Pastor Abedi Bwanika.
