Mao takes DP
GULU district chairman Norbert Mao was elected president of the Democratic Party (DP) yesterday morning with 708 votes, more than <br>double his rival’s.
By Jude Kafuuma and Daniel Edyegu
GULU district chairman Norbert Mao was elected president of the Democratic Party (DP) yesterday morning with 708 votes, more than
double his rival’s.
During the party delegates’ conference, held at Mt. Elgon hotel in Mbale district, Mao trounced flamboyant Kampala mayor Nasser Sebaggala by 387 votes.
Sebaggala scored just 321 votes of the 1,380 voting delegates. Returning officer Peter Polly Mukiibi declared nine votes invalid, while the rest of the delegates abstained.
The conference was held amid protests by some members of the national executive council who claim that the convener, Matia Nsubuga, is illegally holding the post of party secretary general. The matter is in court.
“Today is the turning point. No more running around in circles because we have chosen a direction for the party,†Mao said in his acceptance speech.
“The torch has been passed onto a new generation born after the country’s independence. The ball is in our court and we are ready to propel the party to a leadership standard that Uganda needs in this modern world.â€
He got a standing ovation with jubilating members chanting the party slogan of ‘DP egumire’ (DP is strong).
Mao, 43, replaces John Ssebaana Kizito, 77. Mao will steer DP with equally youthful Mohammed Baswale Kezaala, the Jinja mayor, who was elected unopposed as party national chairman.
Ssebaana sounded relieved to hand over the party leadership. “I now formally announce the end of my national executive council and hand over powers to the new leadership headed by Norbert Mao. All those who have been calling themselves chairmen and deputy secretary generals are no more,†Ssebaana said with a tinge of relief.
“Mao is now the leader and official spokesperson of DP. I urge you to become friends of each other and work together as a team ahead of 2011.â€
The country goes to the polls in March next year.
Mao will be deputised by Masaka municipality MP, John Baptist Kawanga, while Kezaala’s deputy is Evelyne Walimbwa.
The party also picked regional vice-presidents. Kawempe south MP Ssebuliba Mutumba was elected for the central region, Imam Makumbi for western, Yusuf Mutembule for eastern and Santos Alima for northern.
Nsubuga was elected unopposed as party secretary general. He will be assisted by Vincent Mayanja, an international journalist.
Other members on the national executive council are MP Issa Kikungwe (treasurer), Agnes Mayanja (deputy treasurer), Mwaka Lutkemoi (publicity) and Kenneth Paul Kakande (deputy publicity).
Fred Mukasa Mbidde, whose bid for the vice-presidency failed on legalities, secured the post of national legal adviser. He replaces Kampala central MP Elias Lukwago, who was opposed to the delegates’ conference.
Mbidde will be deputised by Erasto Kibirango, a little known Kampala-based advocate. Former Kampala central division chairman Charles Sserunjogi is the party organising secretary and his assistant is Sulaiman Kidandala.
Maxencia Takilambule trounced Kampala deputy mayor Florence Namayanja on the post of women leader by 31 votes. Catherine Atim is the deputy women leader while Mary Goretti Wanyese is the secretary for women affairs.
The DP youth leader is Brenda Nabukenya, deputised by Moses Bigirwa, while Sam Muyizi Mulindwa is the youth secretary.
The voting exercise that kicked-off at mid-day on Saturday, went on up to 1:00am. The last results were declared at 6:00am.
The moment the results were announced, jubilant supporters carried Mao shoulder high, chanting party slogans and shouts of “Mao our man, Obama.†This referred to new blood and a new beginning.
Mao assured the over 1,400 delegates that they will witness real changes in the first 100 days of his term for the betterment of the party at national levels.
“Today we have defunct the myth that has been going on for long in DP. From today this party can no longer be accused of being led by a particular community in the name of sectarianism. We have graduated beyond that.â€
He described his rival, Sebaggala, as a personal friend who has many good plans for the party and said he would work together with him.
Full analysis on POLITICS section see menu
GULU district chairman Norbert Mao was elected president of the Democratic Party (DP) yesterday morning with 708 votes, more than
double his rival’s.
During the party delegates’ conference, held at Mt. Elgon hotel in Mbale district, Mao trounced flamboyant Kampala mayor Nasser Sebaggala by 387 votes.
Sebaggala scored just 321 votes of the 1,380 voting delegates. Returning officer Peter Polly Mukiibi declared nine votes invalid, while the rest of the delegates abstained.
The conference was held amid protests by some members of the national executive council who claim that the convener, Matia Nsubuga, is illegally holding the post of party secretary general. The matter is in court.
“Today is the turning point. No more running around in circles because we have chosen a direction for the party,†Mao said in his acceptance speech.
“The torch has been passed onto a new generation born after the country’s independence. The ball is in our court and we are ready to propel the party to a leadership standard that Uganda needs in this modern world.â€
He got a standing ovation with jubilating members chanting the party slogan of ‘DP egumire’ (DP is strong).
Mao, 43, replaces John Ssebaana Kizito, 77. Mao will steer DP with equally youthful Mohammed Baswale Kezaala, the Jinja mayor, who was elected unopposed as party national chairman.
Ssebaana sounded relieved to hand over the party leadership. “I now formally announce the end of my national executive council and hand over powers to the new leadership headed by Norbert Mao. All those who have been calling themselves chairmen and deputy secretary generals are no more,†Ssebaana said with a tinge of relief.
“Mao is now the leader and official spokesperson of DP. I urge you to become friends of each other and work together as a team ahead of 2011.â€
The country goes to the polls in March next year.
Mao will be deputised by Masaka municipality MP, John Baptist Kawanga, while Kezaala’s deputy is Evelyne Walimbwa.
The party also picked regional vice-presidents. Kawempe south MP Ssebuliba Mutumba was elected for the central region, Imam Makumbi for western, Yusuf Mutembule for eastern and Santos Alima for northern.
Nsubuga was elected unopposed as party secretary general. He will be assisted by Vincent Mayanja, an international journalist.
Other members on the national executive council are MP Issa Kikungwe (treasurer), Agnes Mayanja (deputy treasurer), Mwaka Lutkemoi (publicity) and Kenneth Paul Kakande (deputy publicity).
Fred Mukasa Mbidde, whose bid for the vice-presidency failed on legalities, secured the post of national legal adviser. He replaces Kampala central MP Elias Lukwago, who was opposed to the delegates’ conference.
Mbidde will be deputised by Erasto Kibirango, a little known Kampala-based advocate. Former Kampala central division chairman Charles Sserunjogi is the party organising secretary and his assistant is Sulaiman Kidandala.
Maxencia Takilambule trounced Kampala deputy mayor Florence Namayanja on the post of women leader by 31 votes. Catherine Atim is the deputy women leader while Mary Goretti Wanyese is the secretary for women affairs.
The DP youth leader is Brenda Nabukenya, deputised by Moses Bigirwa, while Sam Muyizi Mulindwa is the youth secretary.
The voting exercise that kicked-off at mid-day on Saturday, went on up to 1:00am. The last results were declared at 6:00am.
The moment the results were announced, jubilant supporters carried Mao shoulder high, chanting party slogans and shouts of “Mao our man, Obama.†This referred to new blood and a new beginning.
Mao assured the over 1,400 delegates that they will witness real changes in the first 100 days of his term for the betterment of the party at national levels.
“Today we have defunct the myth that has been going on for long in DP. From today this party can no longer be accused of being led by a particular community in the name of sectarianism. We have graduated beyond that.â€
He described his rival, Sebaggala, as a personal friend who has many good plans for the party and said he would work together with him.
Full analysis on POLITICS section see menu