Members of the breakaway Democratic Party (DP) bloc, who include MPs, were received by the National Unity Platform (NUP) on Thursday and given party cards, officially becoming members of the party led by Robert Kyagulanyi, who is best known as Bobi Wine.
They included Medard Sseggona, Betty Nambooze, Moses Kasibante, Mathias Mpuuga, Muwanga Kivumbi, Kenneth Paul Kakande, Kigozi Ssajjalabene, Matia Lwanga Bwanika, Mike Mabikke, Allan Ssewanyana and Samuel Walter Lubega Mukaku.
The group that also included Robinah Ssentongo, Veronica Namaganda and Florence Namayanja all DP Members of Parliament was unveiled at the party Headquarters in Kamwokya on Thursday.
The exodus to the new party includes a list of Municipal Mayors and Lord Councilors.
Welcome the group, Bobi Wine warned members against detractors and self-seekers who may want to disorganize their political agenda to achieve their desired democratic change of government.
He added that this is just the beginning of the party’s plan to become the biggest opposition party in the country.
DP publicity secretary Kenneth Paul Kakande, also a DP rebel, recently cited lack of internal democracy as the sticking point that has complicated their political journey with DP President General Norbert Mao.
“The DP president has a signed agreement to cooperate with the People Power leadership, but he has negated it and gone ahead to declare himself presidential candidate even without endorsement from the delegates conference. Once you raise the issue, he pushes you out. We are negotiating with Kyagulanyi on the way forward, especially on how to support him without losing our identity,” Kakande told reporters.
Meanwhile, the group joins NUP after fellow MPs Patrick Nsamba Orishabe (Kasanda North), John Baptist Nambeshe (Manjiya County), and Francis Zaake (Mityana Municipality).
Others are Makindye Division Mayor Kasirye Nganda Ali Mulyanyama and his Nakawa counterpart Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga. Kawempe Mayor Dr. Emmanuel Serunjogi also joined NUP.
