A faction of the Democratic Party (DP) operating under the banner DP at Heart has petitioned the Electoral Commission (EC) and the Inspectorate of Government (IG), calling for a forensic audit of the party’s finances and operations over allegations of large-scale embezzlement and abuse of office.
During a press conference held on Saturday, June 6th, 2026, at Bativa Hotel-Makerere, the group revealed that it had submitted the petitions on June 4th and accused the current DP leadership of misappropriating millions of shillings during the recent National Delegates Conference in Mbarara.
“Millions of shillings of the party and public funds were misappropriated. Delegates were deliberately starved, denied meals and accommodation for three days while huge sums allocated for their welfare remained unaccounted for,” the petition read in part.
The faction further alleged that ordinary members were subjected to inflated nomination fees while incumbent leaders paid nothing, and that a party printer purchased for more than UGX 250 million ahead of the 2016 elections has disappeared without explanation or accountability from auditors.
Julius Ddumba, the Spokesperson for DP Rubaga Division, said the leadership is operating under a forged constitution containing provisions that were never approved by any party organ, and has failed to convene statutory bodies such as the National Council and National Executive Committee.
Benedicto Kiwanuka, a senior party member, described party president Nobert Mao as a “puppet president” working for President Museveni and criticised the leadership for failing to issue an official statement following the death of former DP vice president Juliet Kafire-Rainer.
Anthony Wandimba, the DP Chairperson for Kayunga district, raised concerns over accountability, saying the leaders are fighting among themselves because “they failed to share.”
The group called for an immediate forensic audit, verification of the party’s legitimate constitution, and the restoration of internal democracy, warning that Uganda’s oldest political party is “being looted and destroyed from within.”
They pledged to provide all necessary evidence to support the investigations.
