By Mike Sebalu
The Democratic Party (DP) National Treasurer, Hon. Mary Babirye Kabanda has written to the party president, Hon. Nobert Mao advising him to convene a national finance committee with immediate effect if she is to consider releasing funds for urgent requirements.
On Wednesday, September 14, Kabanda received cheques signed by Mao accompanied by requisition forms indicating the distribution of party funds from the DP account in Centenary Bank.
Kabanda was hesitant to sign the documents since the party’s financial regulations and long-standing practice provides that the finance committee should always convene to consider the financial portfolio and priority requirements for the party before any allocation of what is available is effected.
The party treasurer says ever since the cooperation agreement between the party leaders and President Museveni was signed, no party organ has convened.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party deputy legal adviser, Richard Lumu has defended the treasurer, saying whatever she did is stipulated in the party constitution.
“Our party has a finance management committee headed by the chairman of the party. That committee sits and agrees on what to spend on the money depending on priorities. But I don’t know a meeting of such kind which sat to decide on expenditures, so if she is in that line, I think she has a point,” Lumu said.
While commenting on the matter, the Democratic Party Secretary-General, Gelard Siranda said all management issues will be discussed in the pending National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for 1st October.
