By Joseph Kiggundu
The Uganda Young Democrats (UYD), the youth wing of the Democratic Party (DP), have accused the party leadership of misappropriating billions of shillings and demanded an investigation into the alleged misuse of party funds.
The allegations target the leadership of DP President General Norbert Mao and include money received by the party through the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD).
Speaking at a press conference in Mengo, the youth accused party leaders of misusing funds meant for various party activities, including media operations and the Mbarara Delegates Conference.
Julius Ddumba, the DP spokesperson for Lubaga North, alleged that more than Shs4 billion intended to support the party’s media operations was misappropriated.
“Over Shs4 billion intended to support the party’s media operations was misappropriated, alongside funds which were wasted or improperly spent during the Mbarara Delegates Conference,” Ddumba said.
The youth said they had written to the Inspectorate of Government seeking an investigation into the allegations but were dissatisfied with the response.
They cited public funding received by political parties through IPOD as part of the basis for seeking the Inspectorate’s intervention.
A letter dated July 9, 2026, was addressed to the Inspectorate of Government, with the youth asking the anti-corruption agency to investigate the alleged misuse of funds.
However, DP Electoral Commission Chairperson Kennedy Mutenyo said the youth should use the party’s established internal structures to address their concerns if they have evidence to support the allegations.
Mutenyo said the DP Constitution provides mechanisms through which party members can raise and pursue such complaints.
The Inspectorate of Government has also advised the youth to take the matter to police.
Inspectorate spokesperson Munira Ali said the Deputy Inspector General of Government, Dr Patricia Achan Okiria, advised the complainants to report the allegations to police for investigation.
“The youth were advised by the Deputy IGG, Dr Patricia Achan Okiria, to take their allegations to police for investigation, since the Democratic Party is not a government entity and therefore falls outside the Inspectorate’s jurisdiction,” Ali said.
The youth have threatened to seek legal redress if their concerns are not addressed.
The allegations now place pressure on the DP leadership to account for the funds in question, while the youth insist that an independent investigation is necessary to establish whether the money was properly utilised