PDP, SDP join Democratic Party

L-R: Mr Mabikke, Mr Mao and Mr Bwanika

KAMPALA- The Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) have joined the Democratic Party (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.

DP president, Mr Norbert Mao told journalists in Kampala on Tuesday at the party headquarters, where the unity move was announced, that the door is open to other democracy-seeking forces to join the party ahead of the 2021 general elections.

“The only option is for us who want change, to work together as one opposition,” Mr Mao said.

 Leaders of the three parties started unity talks when they met during the Uganda Young Democrats (UYD) reunion at Makerere University in May last year.

UYD is the youth wing of DP.

The decision to unite was finalised early this year during one of the meetings that were hosted by Mr Mao in Kampala.

Mr Mao said: “We now agree to form a wider party block. We announce the formation of political action committee to plan and coordinate activities aimed at meeting our objective which will make us capable of winning state power.”

 Mr Bwaniika said that leaders of the three political parties have “accepted” the duty to deliver the people of Uganda from the grip of the current dictatorship.

 “We have greed that working together is not simply an option. It is the only option  we have. Therefore, we must work together because we are delivering what the people of Uganda have been waiting for,” he said.

 When Daily Monitor sought views of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), one of the country’s biggest opposition political parties on whether they have knowledge of the Opposition political block, Mr Harold Kaija, the party’s deputy secretary general said they had not received any information regarding the same.

 “As of now, we don’t know anything about this block-thing. I am hearing it from you. However, we welcome this   campaign because working together reduces conflicts within political parties and it keeps forces moving forward  and the gesture reflects unity in opposition,” he said.

 Mr Kaija said they will discuss with the party working committees and national executive committee before coming up with a decision on working such political blocks.

 Uganda Peoples Congress Spokesperson,   Mr Micheal Osinde said that DP promised to contact them on the formation of the political block.

 “We are ready to get in touch with DP but of now, we cannot pronounce ourselves because we do not know their objectives and details about the formation of unity block,” Mr Osinde said.

 Justice Forum party (Jeema) Spokesperson Mr Sentongo Abdulnoor  Kyamundu said that  they are willing to join any  coalition based on democracy.

 SDP was formed when Mr Mabikke disagreed with his erstwhile colleagues in DPs while PDP is what has provided the umbrella for Mr Bwanika’s three shots at the presidency, starting with the 2006 presidential elections.

In the last election, DP and SDP threw their weight behind former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, while Mr Bwanika pursued the presidential seat under the PDP umbrella.