DP meeting: Members walk out on Mao

By Paul Kiwuwa & Nicholas Wassajja

KAMPALA – When Democratic Party president Norbert Mao delivered a fiery speech on how to resolve the party’s grassroots electoral impasse ahead of their national delegate's conference (NDC) in the face of many of his critics, he received a noisy mix of boos and cheers, with some members walking out on him.

Mao met much of the hostility especially when he likened the meeting to a gathering at a local music concert, for failing to endorse substantive resolutions for the party.

Members wanted some party officials expelled from the National Executive Committee (NEC) for allegedly involving in the irregularities that characterised the party's grassroots elections.

"You are also becoming a problem like the people you are blaming because you don't listen to the voice of reason.

“It is only the National Executive Committee that has the mandate to expel or suspend officials,” said the party leader, inviting a chorus of boos.

Earlier, Rubaga South Councilor David Ssempa accused organizing secretary Charles Serunjoji of failing to bring to order some members of NEC for being the masterminds behind the elections impasse.

They included: legal secretary Mukasa  Mbidde, assistant secretary general Vincent Mayanja, assistant spokesperson Kenneth Kakande , assistant organizing secretary Suleiman Kidandala and DP youth leader Brenda Nabukenya.

"I need support to have these five officials expelled from NEC because they used their influence to appoint delegates that would work in their favour," said Ssempa, drawing applause.

‘Let’s be assertive’

The resolution was made during the DP parliamentary forum meeting following findings of a report titled The Democratic Party Independent National Elections Committee (DP-INEC) which was submitted to the party secretary general Mathias Nusbuga.

However, Micheal Lulume, who is the Buikwe South MP and aspiring candidate for DP presidency argued that suspending the officials may not solve the impasse at hand substantively.

He urged NEC to be partial in trying to implement the resolutions made in the report and at the meeting.

Meanwhile, embattled Kampala mayor Erais Lukwago, who is largely believed to be one of the members eyeing the party’s presidency, called for an immediate action against the officials.

"This matter should be resolved now; we need to be assertive in addressing the impunity within leadership ranks in the party. Otherwise people will take us for granted – which dents the party credibility," he said.

The DP-INEC report read in the meeting calls for, among others, the suspension of the party’s fast-approaching national delegate's conference to elect new leaders, citing irregularities during their grassroots elections.

Reading the report on behalf of the members, Henry Ssewannyana, the secretary to the committee said there should be postponement until the party's National Council (NC) establishes a committee to resolve disputes and petitions rising from the elections before confirming dates of the delegate’s meet.

The NDC is expected to take place between 23rd and 26th of this month at Katomi Kingdom Resort in Garuga, Wakiso district where new leaders will be elected – including the party president.