A group of Democratic Party (DP) leaders has condemned attempts by senior officials to block Bukoto Central MP Richard Sebamala, from contesting for the party presidency, warning that such actions threaten the party’s democratic foundation.
Speaking ahead of the DP National Delegates Conference set to take place tomorrow in Mbarara, the leaders raised alarm over what they described as a deliberate scheme to sideline certain members from fully participating in the conference.
Mityana South MP and DP legal advisor, Richard Lumu, accused top party leaders of planning to violate the constitution by undermining the decision-making authority of the National Delegates Conference.
“According to the party constitution, only the National Delegates Conference can make final decisions on matters such as candidacy eligibility and disciplinary action,” Lumu stated.
He also took aim at party president Norbert Mao and Secretary General Gerald Siranda for allegedly handpicking candidates without due process.
“Mao and Siranda were themselves elected through the Delegates Conference. They cannot now bypass the same process to block others,” he added.
Deo Kiyingi, the DP’s deputy treasurer and former MP for Bukomansimbi South, warned that silencing dissenting voices within the party could mark a return to authoritarianism.
“If some leaders are now pushing out members without due process, it signals a return to dictatorship within the party,” Kiyingi said.
He further accused party leaders of operating under the protection of external political actors.
Sebamala, who has expressed interest in contesting for the party presidency, dismissed claims by DP electoral commission chairman, Kennedy Mutenyo, that he is not a fully registered member.
“I joined DP in 2015 and have worked hard to strengthen the party in Greater Masaka. I even established structures in Bukoto Central that helped me win the 2021 election,” Sebamala said.
The leaders vowed to attend the Mbarara conference and insisted that the party must uphold its constitution, structures, and internal democracy.
“We are going to Mbarara to defend truth, justice, and the soul of the Democratic Party,” Lumu declared.
The conference is expected to be a defining moment for the DP, as internal divisions over leadership and governance continue to deepen.
