DP secretary general row rages on

Aug 26, 2008

THE Democratic Party vice-chairman Hajji Ali Sserunjogi wants fresh elections for the secretary general’s post. Two weeks ago, Bukoto South MP Matthias Nsubuga was voted to temporarily fill the post that became vacant two years ago after the resignation of Ebil Ottoo.

By Moses Mulondo

THE Democratic Party vice-chairman Hajji Ali Sserunjogi wants fresh elections for the secretary general’s post. Two weeks ago, Bukoto South MP Matthias Nsubuga was voted to temporarily fill the post that became vacant two years ago after the resignation of Ebil Ottoo.

A substantive secretary general is due to be elected during the delegates’ conference later this year.

But some party members rejected Nsubuga’s election by the National Council, saying the party constitution was flouted.

Sserunjogi has written to members, citing grounds why the polls should be nullified.
One of them is that the election was conducted in the absence of the national chairman or himself, the deputy.

The constitution says in the absence of the chairman, the deputy assumes all responsibilities, including chairing the National Council.

“The letter requires us to call a fully-fledged National Council meeting to hold fresh elections to fill three vacancies for secretary general, deputy (national) woman leader and central region representative to NEC (National Executive Committee),” deputy secretary general Dr. Lulume Bayiga said yesterday.

During the contentions elections, Nsubuga defeated Bayiga, then acting secretary general, with a margin of three votes.

The row was reportedly the main reason why the National Council, which had been scheduled to sit last Friday, was called off.

However, DP president general John Ssebaana Kizito said the meeting was postponed because the chairman, Prof. Joseph Mukiibi, was out of the country.

“We realised that it is better we convene the next (National Council) meeting when the chairman is around to avoid the queries that arose last time due to his absence,” he explained.

But a senior party member said Sserunjogi wanted a response to his letter cancelling the controversial election before the National Council could sit.
Mukiibi, who was in Burundi, came back over the weekend.

“At the moment, I cannot take a side before making ample findings about what exactly transpired. I will announce my action after the findings,” he told The New Vision yesterday.

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