DP youths criticised for pulling out of Luweero poll campaigns
Democratic Party candidate Brenda Nabukenya waves to her supporters at a rally in Luweeero District recently. PHOTO BY DAN WANDERA
What you need to know:
Party officials say there are structures to listen to discontented members instead of pulling out of the campaign.
Luweero- Democratic Party officials in Luweero District have accused a group of Uganda Young Democrats (UYD) of being self-seekers after they pulled out of the District Woman by-election campaign, claiming their efforts were not being appreciated.
“It defeats the Democratic Party spirit of unity at a time when all the party members, including the opposition have teamed up to ensure victory for the Luweero by-election,” Mr Erasto Kibirango, the district party chairperson, said on Wednesday. UYD is the youth wing of the party.
“The youths claimed the party was divided and that they have pulled out of the campaigns for Ms Brenda Nabukenya. We believe they could be concealing a selfish motive to divert attention of the Ms Nabukenya’s campaign team,” Mr Kibirango added.
A group of 20 youths claiming to be members of the party youth wing led by Mr Nathan Bwogi on Tuesday said they had pulled out because the team had disregarded their input.
However, the DP secretary general and Bukoto South MP, Mr Mathias Nsubuga, said the team was focused on winning the election and dismissed any divisions.
“We have party structures where any discontented party member can address his concerns. It is also not true that we are divided as regards the campaigns. We know the trick of our opponents. The NRM party could try to portray our campaign team as divided. Our party president, Mr Nobert Mao, is with us. The statements made by the group is not justified and has no merit,” Mr Nsubuga said.
Meanwhile, the campaigns have gained momentum with each camp promising to spearhead development in the area.
Addressing rallies in Katikamu Sub-county on Tuesday, Ms Rebecca Nalwanga, the NRM candidate, said Luweero would only benefit from government projects when they elect leaders who support the party manifesto.
The District Woman Parliamentary seat fell vacant after court nullified Ms Nabukenya’s election, citing irregularities.
The by-election will be held on May 22.
“We need to support Ms Nabukenya who has shown her ability to shake the entire NRM government because of her youthful ideas which the NRM does not want the people of Luweero to know,” Mr Nsubuga said.
