By Jumah Kakomo
The Uganda Young Democrats (UYD) have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), demanding swift action on multiple petitions concerning last month’s controversial Democratic Party (DP) Delegates Conference held in Mbarara.
The UYD members allege that the conference was marred by fraud and irregularities, and that over ten petitions have since been submitted to the IEC by aggrieved party leaders and district chairpersons, calling for intervention in what they describe as a party leadership crisis.
Ismael Kiirya, UYD President Emeritus and Secretary General-elect, claims the Mbarara event was based on a fraudulent constitution. He says DP members had earlier petitioned the IEC not to gazette recent constitutional amendments, which were allegedly forged and not discussed at the previous Gulu Delegates Conference—contravening Article 15 Section 3(b) of the Political Parties and Organisations Act.
“Despite the petitions, the IEC turned a deaf ear, allowing a Delegates Conference to proceed under illegitimate guidelines. The result was one of the most fraudulent party elections in Ugandan history,” Kiirya said.
He further accused the IEC of being under pressure from high-ranking officials, including the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, to dismiss the petitions without fair consideration.
Micheal Mpunge, UYD President-elect, criticized what he termed an illegitimate DP leadership for soliciting funds from aspiring candidates without proper gazetting. “They are collecting money from candidates they intend to later discard—just like in Mbarara—all while the IEC watches in silence,” he said.
Expressing broader concern, Mpunge warned: “If the IEC can be intimidated over intra-party matters, what kind of national election can we expect in 2026?”
Julius Ddumba, UYD Kampala Chairperson, urged the IEC to uphold its mandate of independence and impartiality.
Meanwhile, Anthony Waddimba, former Personal Secretary to the DP President General, raised disturbing allegations of sexual harassment against some DP officials. He claimed young female UYD members had been promised party positions in exchange for sexual favors and called for an urgent investigation.
Kiirya concluded by urging the IEC to determine whether the DP’s leadership transition was lawful. “We don’t want the chaos from the DP Delegates Conference to be a rehearsal for the 2026 general elections. The time to act is now.”
He emphasized that failure by the IEC to act within seven days would leave UYD with no choice but to respond through unspecified actions: “We shall not take the blame for our course of action.”
