DP without Museveni is not a serious group - Museveni

“Although DP has been in the opposition, they have not been destructive. They criticise but are not destructive,” he said.

Museveni, the national chairman of the NRM, was speaking on Wednesday after the NRM signed an agreement of cooperation with the Democratic Party (DP) at State House, Entebbe.

He and the DP President General, Nobert Mao, put pen to paper on behalf of their respective parties while NRM secretary General, Richard Todwong and the secretary general of DP, Dr. Gerald Siranda, solemnly witnessed this joint agreement.

After both party heads appended their signatures to the proverbial dotted lines, Museveni congratulated Mao upon steering DP towards the NRM.

He added that this should have happened long ago.

“You know the history. I keep telling you that DP without Museveni is not a serious group because I was a very active member of DP,” he said.

With the DP now being but a gleam in his eye, Museveni lauded the party for its sincerity and straightforwardness.

He further pronounced himself satisfied with this milestone, saying that DP is a “good party.”

On his part, Mao applauded the president and said this process towards conciliation between the two parties began even before his time.

He then asked Museveni to harness this historical opportunity by gathering [DP] party members around the country into a consolidated unit.

“You must look for them wherever they are in all the political parties and in all the corners of Uganda,” Mao said.

He noted that this agreement was not a misalliance or marriage of convenience, but an article of faith binding its signatories towards a unity of purpose.

“This is a living document. It has to continue growing and we have signed it in a good faith,” he said.

Mao said the agreement resolves any contradictions between the parties by ensuring they complement one another.