Newly appointed Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, Norbert Mao has refused to stepaside as the President , Democratic party, despite demand from party members.
Mao has been criticized by his party members for signing a cooperation agreement with the National Resistance Movement Party , on behalf of the DP, without consultation.
Consequently, he was appointed Minister for Justice and Constitutional affairs by the President, who also doubles as the NRM Chairperson.
Speaking shortly after being vetted, Mao said he will not listen to negative talk but only listen to calls based on the workload awaiting him as he takes charge of the new mandate.
He explains that this arrangement is not any different from others the party has signed before like the
“The venomous outbursts I heard indicate that most of our members have not internalized the implications of this cooperation agreement.It is not a requirement that I explain to the National organ and this is not the first such agreement we signed the TDA protocol when I was in Hospital, Iw was never consulted , even the DP bloc agreement”, he said
On Friday, members of the DP bloc, including Mps in parliament, during a press briefing, insisted that Mao resigns his position as President General of the Party.
Lubega Samuel Mukaku a DP Block member, stated that henceforth, Mao and the Prtyis Secretary General Siranda, be banned Mao from attending any functions of the party ,block or even representing the party at other opposition functions.
Mukaku says the duo has disgraced themselves and the party by proving to be moles for the ruling NRM party. He further states that the block has henceforth stripped them of any accolades, honours or awards attained under the party’s name.
“We ban the duo from attending any functions on behalf of the party including cultural, religious,political,birthday parties,funerals because they are masquerades, we want to Isolate and excommunicate them.“ he says
In the 42-clause agreement, the two parties not only agreed to share political power but also to foster constitutionalism and respect for human rights.
According to the agreement, DP agreed to cooperate with NRM in supporting the overall governance agenda and parliamentary votes on matters of confidence and supply for the full term of this Parliament. DP has only nine members in a parliament of 529 MPs.
