DP Mbarara delegates conference: EC tells party to seek court intervention

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The Electoral Commission (EC) has advised members of the Democratic Party (DP) disputing the party's recent Mbarara delegates' conference to seek reparation in courts of law.

According to EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi, internal party processes including adherence to the party constitution are matters for the party and its members to resolve.

"The final say or interpretation of whether a matter that was undertaken within a political party was lawful or unlawful, legal or illegal, is determined by court," Mucunguzi said.

Mucunguzi added that anybody who has any grievance relating to the conduct of a political party or a political process can go to court and seek justice in court.

The development follows a petition by several DP members during a media engagement by party youth wing: The Uganda Young Democrats (UYD) on July 14, 2025, over alleged irregularities during the conference.

They claim that the election was marred by ballot stuffing, lack of proper accreditation and manipulation of results.

"We are coming for Justice," UYD president-elect Ismael Kiirya said. "Wait for us in seven days. We are coming to the Electoral Commission to remind you of your duties that you must put in action."

Kiirya added that following the alleged fraudulent DP delegates conference held in Mbarara last month, EC received over 10 petitions from aggrieved DP leaders and district chairpersons requesting its intervention as the regulator of political parties to address the impasse in the party.

According to Kiirya, even before the Mbarara fraud, DP members had petitioned EC not to gazette amendments in the DP constitution that were filed based on forged resolutions, which were never discussed in the previous Gulu Delegates' conference in contravention of article 15 section 3 (b) of the Political Parties and Organisations Act.

DP aspirant Julius Dumisa accused EC of failing to address alleged electoral irregularities within the party.

Dumisa, who refused to return his nomination forms for the DP president general post, citing conflict of interest in the process, urged EC chairperson to act in accordance with the law.

According to Dumisa, EC's inaction on the petitions filed by him and other DP members over alleged irregularities in the party's recent National Delegates Conference (NDC) is a clear indication of its failure to regulate political parties in Uganda.

"The EC's failure to acknowledge and work on the issues of just a mere political party like DP raises serious concerns about its ability to handle elections involving multiple parties," Dumisa said.

Delegates conference largely peaceful

Democratic Party (DP) president general Norbert Mao, who is also justice minister, early last month dismissed claims that the party’s national delegates’ conference in Mbarara was marred by chaos, insisting that the event was "largely peaceful."

Addressing journalists during a weekly media briefing at DP headquarters on Balintuma road in Kampala city on June 10, 2025, Mao accused political rival MP Richard Sebamala (Bukoto Central) of stage-managing disruptions after being disqualified from the race.

“Our friend from Bukoto Central ferried people to go and interrupt the elections,” Mao said. “The majority of delegates were seated, wondering what the mob was trying to do. We had to transport his hooligans back home since he abandoned them after we disrupted their plans.”

The conference saw Mao re-elected for a fourth term as party president general despite loud protests and dramatic scenes from Sebamala's camp. Mao, however, downplayed the scuffles, saying media attention only magnified minor incidents.

Sebamala was disqualified from the race for allegedly failing to meet the party’s requirement of being an active member for the past ten years — a decision that sparked outrage among his supporters.

Speaking during a televised interview, Sebamala claimed that over 700 pre-ticked ballots in favour of Mao were found hidden in a room.

When asked what he would say if he met Mao face-to-face, Sebamala said, "I Would greet him, but I’d also tell him he embarrassed us and needs to clean up his mess"

Mao, on his part, extended an olive branch to disgruntled members, calling on them to return and rebuild the party.