A multimillion-shilling printing machine has reportedly gone missing from the Democratic Party (DP) headquarters, along Balintuma Road, leading to significant financial losses and disruptions to party activities.
Anonymous sources from within DP, speaking to Bbeg Media, alleged that senior party officials may be involved in the machine’s disappearance.
“The printing machine, intended for party work, has ended up in the hands of some senior officials. This is not to serve the party but to enrich themselves, which is shocking and undermines our core values,” one of the sources said
According to sources, the printing machine, valued at approximately Shs 350 million, was purchased using funds from the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) in 2019 to produce posters and other campaign materials for party candidates. However, the machine’s intended purpose was not fulfilled due to its unclear whereabouts.
It was further alleged that a senior party official had requested the party secretariat to manage the machine, promising to pay Shs4 million monthly. However, no payments were made, and when questioned, the official reportedly cited the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on business as the reason for his inability to meet the financial commitment.
Sources claimed that the machine was stored at a property managed by businessman Godfery Kirumira and was eventually sold for Shs 250 million to cover rental arrears, resulting in a financial loss.
In contrast, sources noted that during the late Issa Kikungwe’s tenure as party treasurer, efforts were made to maintain financial discipline and grow the party’s accounts, a stark difference from the current situation.
There are also allegations that another senior party official close to the party president, Norbert Mao, reportedly withdrew over Shs 100 million from party accounts without the knowledge of Mao. Mao allegedly demanded the funds to be returned, but the official declined. It is now said that Mao and the official do not see eye to eye.
The DP receives annual funding through IPOD to support political activities and promote democratic principles.
