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Norbert Mao who was declared the winner commended security for the job well done. (Photo by Milton Niinga)
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By Milton Niinga
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, has been declared the winner of the Democratic Party’s presidential election, according to Kennedy Mutenyo, chairperson of the party’s Electoral Management Committee.
"Norbert Mao has been elected President of the Democratic Party (DP) for a fourth term, securing a commanding 969 votes," Mutenyo announced.
"His challengers, Dr. Michael Lulume Bayiga and Dr. Alitia Elia, garnered 339 and 52 votes, respectively," he added.
Mao’s victory came amid a controversial and chaotic election process, with one of the key contenders, Bukoto Central MP Richard Sebamala, being excluded from the ballot. Sebamala claimed that his disqualification was unfair and unconstitutional.
Kennedy Mutenyo who decared Mao described the exercise as successful amidst chaos. (Photo by Milton Niinga)
Tension as security is tightened
On Friday, Mao received a hostile reception when he arrived in Mbarara for the delegates' conference, with some delegates hurling insults and accusations. He was later escorted to an undisclosed location as security assessed the tense situation.
Security was later beefed up at Asamar Country Resort Hotel in Ruti, Mbarara City South Division, to ensure a peaceful election after three days of open confrontations and scuffles among supporters.
Delegates who turned up for the 12th National Delegates' Conference were expected to elect new party leaders on Saturday, after the National Executive Committee was dissolved by party chairman Mayambala Kiwanuka shortly after midnight. However, the exercise was disrupted and eventually canceled due to disagreements and chaos.
Security tight by police ensured that the vote was well rigged before leaving the scene until Mao was declared. (Photo by Milton Niinga)
Sebamala supporters disrupt voting
The electoral exercise was allegedly disrupted by supporters of MP Richard Sebamala, prompting Mutenyo to postpone voting to Sunday.
"With assistance from Esther Namara, the District Police Commander for Mbarara City South Division, the process that had initially started smoothly became unmanageable when Sebamala’s exclusion sparked outrage among delegates," Mutenyo explained.
Sebamala’s supporters refused to participate in the voting, accusing party chairman Mayambala of deliberately excluding their candidate from the nomination list.
Sebamala was among three candidates vying for the DP President General position, alongside Mao, Dr. Michael Lulume Bayiga (MP for Buikwe South), and Dr. Alitia Elia, the party's Vice President for West Nile.
Sebamala who quashed the authenticity of elections decried the military for splitting DP party to gift Mao a win. (Photo by Milton Niinga)
Claims of student interference
Sebamala accused the party leadership of bringing in non-party university students from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) and Kampala International University (KIU) to vote and disrupt the process.
However, former DP Secretary General Gerald Siranda dismissed the claims, stating that the students in question were Young Democrats—recognized youth leaders within the party—and were legitimate delegates.
The conference, which began on May 30 with the aim of electing new party leaders and shaping DP's democratic direction, ended in chaos on the night of May 31 after Sebamala’s supporters disrupted proceedings.
Mao responds to critics
Addressing delegates under tight security, Mao dismissed claims that he had "sold" the party.
"The people accusing me of selling DP are the ones with the biggest campaign posters here—that's hypocrisy. Let’s stop dragging our party through the mud in the media. DP is not my personal property; it will never appear in any will for my children to inherit. DP is too big for anyone to own," Mao said.
Lulume’s failed campaign to end NRM alliance
Dr. Lulume, who lost to Mao, had campaigned on a platform of ending the party's alliance with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
"We’ve become a laughing stock, viewed as partners of the NRM. Today was our chance to change that by removing Mao. He can remain a minister but must leave DP so we can rebuild it," he said in a final campaign appeal.
Following the results, Lulume expressed deep disappointment, saying, "We are disappointed by the outcome. This is not the DP we grew up supporting."
"This has been a sham election, and we reject its results," he added.
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