DP chiefs split over Ssendikadiwa
Apr 23, 2009
TOP Democratic Party (DP) officials have contested the suspension of Justine Ssendikadiwa.
By Jeff Lule
TOP Democratic Party (DP) officials have contested the suspension of Justine Ssendikadiwa.
On Tuesday, the party’s deputy chairperson for Kampala, Vincent Mayanja, announced that DP had suspended Ssendikadiwa for defying the party’s orders to step down in the Rubaga LC3 byelections.
Ssendikadiwa is running as an independent candidate against the official party candidate, Moses Makumbi.
In a press release dated April 22, members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) insisted that Mayanja’s announcement could not be enforced.
“We wish to inform the general public that this matter has not come before the NEC,†they said.
The release was signed by the party’s deputy national organising secretary, John Tusiime, the NEC member for eastern region, Simon Peter Ocheing, for western region, Abwori Kobwemi, and the NEC national youth secretary, Paul Luyombya.
Addressing journalists yesterday, Ssendikadiwa said the suspension was Mayanja’s personal opinion.
“The matter has to be decided by the NEC or the party’s disciplinary committee,†he said.
Ssendikadiwa stressed that he would not quit the race until the NEC handled the matter.
“I fear our party is growing weaker because of individuals. We need a new leadership,†he said.
He advised party leaders to organise a delegate’s conference to elect new leaders.
TOP Democratic Party (DP) officials have contested the suspension of Justine Ssendikadiwa.
On Tuesday, the party’s deputy chairperson for Kampala, Vincent Mayanja, announced that DP had suspended Ssendikadiwa for defying the party’s orders to step down in the Rubaga LC3 byelections.
Ssendikadiwa is running as an independent candidate against the official party candidate, Moses Makumbi.
In a press release dated April 22, members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) insisted that Mayanja’s announcement could not be enforced.
“We wish to inform the general public that this matter has not come before the NEC,†they said.
The release was signed by the party’s deputy national organising secretary, John Tusiime, the NEC member for eastern region, Simon Peter Ocheing, for western region, Abwori Kobwemi, and the NEC national youth secretary, Paul Luyombya.
Addressing journalists yesterday, Ssendikadiwa said the suspension was Mayanja’s personal opinion.
“The matter has to be decided by the NEC or the party’s disciplinary committee,†he said.
Ssendikadiwa stressed that he would not quit the race until the NEC handled the matter.
“I fear our party is growing weaker because of individuals. We need a new leadership,†he said.
He advised party leaders to organise a delegate’s conference to elect new leaders.