Information on the Democratic Party (DP), the location of its head office and whether the office is open and operating [UGA25317.E]

Political Parties of the World does not list a street address for the Democratic Party (DP) (1988, 562). According to this source, the DP was founded in 1953 and is headed by Dr. Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere (ibid.). The party was reportedly banned in 1969 but it maintained widespread support, particularly in southern Uganda (ibid.).

The DP was reportedly revived for the 1980 general elections (ibid.). The DP won 51 out of 126 seats in parliament and formed the official opposition (ibid.). In November 1981, states the same source, "a number of DP members and office-bearers were allegedly arrested (and beaten up) after they had officially been accused of being anti government guerrillas" (ibid.).

A 24 July 1995 Africa Research Bulletin report states that Dr. Ssemogerere was second deputy prime minister and Minister of Public Service in the Yoweri Museveni National Resistance Movement (MRM) government (11880 A). Dr. Ssemogerere reportedly resigned all his cabinet posts because he intended to stand in the presidential elections of May 1996 (ibid.).

According to a 24 May 1996 Africa Confidential report, DP presidential candidate, Dr. Ssemogerere, lost the presidential race to Yoweri Museveni.

Information on whether the DP office is open and running could not be found among the sources currently available to the DIRB.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References


Africa Confidential [London]. 24 May 1996. Vol. 37, No. 11. "Museveni's Party."

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. 24 July 1995. Vol. 32, No. 6. "Uganda."

Political Parties of the The World. 1988. 3rd ed. Edited by Alan Day. Chicago: St. James Press.

Attachments

Africa Confidential [London]. 24 May 1996. Vol. 37, No. 11. "Museveni's Party," pp. 2-3.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. 24 July 1995. Vol. 32, No. 6. "Uganda," p. 11880.