The Democratic Party (DP) is facing fresh turmoil after eleven senior members filed a petition in the High Court challenging the re-election of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao as party president.
The case, led by Bukoto Central MP Richard Ssebamala, targets the outcomes of the DP National Delegates Conference held in Mbarara City between May 30 and June 2, 2025. The petitioners argue that the elections were full of irregularities, violations of the DP constitution, and deliberate exclusion of legitimate contenders.
In a sworn affidavit, Ssebamala claimed the process was stage-managed:
“What happened in Mbarara wasn’t a democratic election—it was a calculated move to sideline dissenting voices.”
According to court documents, Ssebamala and his colleagues had shown interest in various leadership positions. They picked nomination forms, submitted them on time, and paid the required fees. However, they allege that their names were arbitrarily removed from the final candidate list by the party’s electoral commission.
The petition further claims that the commission itself was illegally constituted, citing the sudden appointment of Kennedy Mutenyo as chairperson, which they say violated the DP constitution.
The group also says the election venue, Asamar Country Resort, was heavily guarded by armed personnel, and they were forcefully blocked from accessing the grounds before the elections proceeded without them.
“We were deliberately locked out of the process. This undermines the core values of internal democracy that the DP claims to stand for,” Ssebamala told journalists after filing the case.
Despite their absence, the elections went ahead, with Norbert Mao declared president and Gerald Siranda confirmed as Secretary General—results the petitioners want overturned.
What the Petitioners Want
The group is asking court to:
- Annul Mao’s re-election and declare the process unconstitutional.
- Order the DP to convene a fresh and lawful National Delegates Conference.
- Issue an injunction to stop future undemocratic practices in the party.
- Award them general damages for emotional distress, reputational harm, and inconvenience.
The case has been allocated to Justice Joyce Kavuma, with the first hearing scheduled for October 1, 2025.
As of now, the DP leadership has not made a public statement regarding the legal challenge. Political observers say this case could either reshape DP’s internal politics or further deepen divisions in one of Uganda’s oldest parties.
