Norbert Mao, the Democratic Party President has warned DP members of parliament against working the leader of opposition in parliament and Forum for Democratic Change as individuals. Mao says that the proposal by Nandala Mafabi to work with individual DP MPs is aimed at weakening the institutional capacity and cohesion of his party.
Mao says that, their final decision will be made only after the National executive committee and the National Council has reviewed their relationship with other opposition parties in parliament. In May, Nandala announced the decision to stop working relationship with DP and UPC following the controversial EALA elections.
He said FDC shall deal with other opposition parties represented in Parliament strictly on principle and agreed rules of engagement. It came after DP and UPC backtracked on a joint decision by opposition parties to boycott the East African legislative Assembly elections to compel NRM to abide the EAC treaty.
He described the move by DP and UPC to nominate candidates for the East Africa Legislative Assembly which was contrary to their agreement as a case of preaching water by day but gulping wine in the night. Mao now says that they do not question Nandala’s powers to reconstitute the shadow cabinet but they question his wisdom.
The Democratic Party has now resolved to appoint parliamentary spokespersons for every portfolio and let the FDC own the shadow cabinet.
//Cue in: We do not question Nandala…”
Cue out:…on the cohesion of the Democratic Party.”//
He says they have earmarked twelve Portfolios’ and the DP members shall seat to decide the way forward. Mao also reveals that they have written to the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga to guide them on the powers and the right of Mafabi to fire a leader of the committee.
He says until Kadaga makes a ruling all DP members shall continue to head the oversight committees in Parliament and ignore Nandala’s comments.
//Cue in: We have written to the speaker…”
Cue out: ….Mafabi’s ranting in Parliament.”//
