Lulume faults Lukwago for snubbing DP delegates conference

Jul 24, 2015

Buyikwe South MP Michael Lulume Bayiga has expressed concern over the decision by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago not to take part in the Democratic Party (DP) delegate’s conference to elect new leaders

By Nicholas Wassajja

Buyikwe South MP Michael Lulume Bayiga has expressed concern over the decision by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago not to take part in the Democratic Party (DP) delegate’s conference to elect new leaders.


Lulume said that although the party’s process leading to delegate’s conference is marred with irregularities, it is much better to deal with rectifying the problem from within rather than cry foul from the street.

“It solves no problem but dents the party further if we take our internal differences to the street. I am better placed to cry foul but I have taken heart to participate in a fraud process because it’s from within that we can fight to ensure we put our house to order,” he explained.

DP on Thursday started its delegate’s conference at Katomi kingdom resort hotel in Wakiso district where party president Norbert Mao and Lulume will be contesting for presidency.

Erias Lukwago and 2011 presidential candidate Samuel Lubega were also expected to contest but they did not pick nomination forms.

Lulume argued that, “some members may never believe you and instead think you are merely sabotaging but like mature politics demand, you get yourself involved at any cost to address the problem better internally.”

He also noted that if Lukwago had accepted to take part in the process, it would have been a proper means to DP’s botched reconciliation efforts.

“Without doubt Lukwago is an ardent DP member but unfortunately he is outside the party structures therefore to authenticate the call for reconciliation, he needs to be part of the party,” said Lukwago.

Following a series of failed reconciliatory meetings, Lukwago and a group of DP members of parliament on Wednesday declared that instead of going for the delegate’s conference they would be holding a meeting in Luweero to discuss the party impasse.

They also threatened to endorse Lukwago as party president to form a structure parallel from the mainstream party.

Lukwago said they would not take part in the delegate’s conference because the party grass roots elections were marred with irregularities and the leadership was being arrogant to the reconciliation process.

However, Lulume said that announcing a parallel leadership was unrealistic in terms of implementation and if successful, its damage to the party may never be undone.

Lulume, in a letter to Mao shared with the New Vision, expressed disappointment in the manner the leadership was organising the delegate’s conference.

Among others, Lulume noted that he was denied access to the delegate’s register until the last minute; DP failed to sort out petitions contesting the grassroots elections, refused to allow other candidates engage in the delegate’s conference roadmap and the continued snubbing of reconciliation meetings.

On his part, Mao said, “with due respect I am sorry that Lulume feels dissatisfied but am sure he has  enough confidence in the process to subject himself to it. The content in the register is not manufactured. Most returns came in late including those of Buyikwe district where he is the chairperson that’s why the register delayed.”

Mao denied receiving the letter but went on to clarify that the issues raised were addressed in a meeting that Lulume attended and they agreed that everything should be done in accordance with the constitution including drawing the roadmap leading to the delegate’s conference.
 

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