By Jumah Kakomo
The Uganda young Democrats (UYD) a youth wing under the opposition Democratic Party (DP) have organized a peaceful march to the independent Electoral Commission (IEC) EC offices next week purposely to express dissatisfaction over their unresolved issues with the commission regarding the recently concluded party delegates’ conference held at Mbarara where the current leaders were elected.
The democrats led by their president emeritus Ismail Kiirya say, the March is to remind the commission of its statutory duties but also to peacefully remove its boss Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi from what they term as the minister for justice and constitutional affairs also the party president general Hon.Norbert Mao’s armpits including to remind them of their constitutional mandate to be independent and free from intimidation.
According to Kiirya, on Tuesday, the country witnessed a mockery of justice when they learned Judge Allan Nshimye of Mbarara High Court erred in law and facts and dismissed the DP petition based on technicalities. He adds that they know a lot took place including zoom and physical meetings, intimidation, etc and they couldn’t expect any better outcome. Surprisingly, the main reason the case was dismissed was failure to exhaust internal mechanisms which do not exist in the DP constitution
Kiirya revealed that they have now written to the Independent Electoral commission (IEC) with immediate effect to stop disbursing tax payers’ money to what they call nonexistent Democratic Party (DP) leadership highlighting that if the commission continue, UYD will not let them hide under the cover of corporate veil but will prosecute them individually for causing financial loss to the country and it will pursue such monies to be recovered.
The group challenges Mao’s leadership as illegal due to alleged irregularities during the DP delegates’ conference claiming that it 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
It is remembered that on August 18, 2025, Norbert Mao, through the DP secretary General, Gerald Siranda picked nomination and supporter forms at the IEC headquarters Kampala to officially commence his presidential nomination process which the following day prompted UYD to appeal to the (IEC) not to nominate Nobert Mao for party presidential flag bearer in the coming general elections 2026, citing concerns over his leadership legitimacy.
Michael Mpunge also from UYD says the court in Mbarara ruled that the Commission has a statutory duty to supervise political parties and ensure they comply with the provisions of the law. He adds that despite the petitions, the IEC turned a deaf ear allowing a delegates’ conference to proceed under illegitimate guidelines adding that the result was one of the most fraudulent party elections in Ugandan history.
Anthony Wadimba, the former DP president general private say if the IEC keeps on paying deaf ears to the ongoing party disputes it could exacerbate existing tensions within the party, potentially leading to further divisions and instability, such a move might be perceived as disregarding the concerns of party members and the public, potentially damaging the party’s reputation
The UYD party president in charge of Kampala Julius Dumba, says they want a resolution to the leadership dispute before any nominations are made, emphasizing the need for clarity and legitimacy in party leadership
“The UYD is demanding that the Electoral Commission investigate the petitions lodged against Mao’s leadership and take necessary actions before his nomination,” Julius added.
