Chaos erupted at the Democratic Party’s National Delegates Conference after several candidates’ names, including presidential hopeful Richard Ssebamala, were omitted from the list. This sparked protests from affected members, who demanded a refund of their money. In the ensuing scuffle, Mukono South MP Fred Kayondo, a key supporter of Ssebamala, was severely beaten and hospitalized.
The controversy surrounds the party’s internal elections, where Sebamala is vying for the presidency against incumbent Norbert Mao. Some delegates accuse Mao’s administration of manipulating the delegates’ list to exclude rival supporters.
Key Issues:
Dispute over delegates’ list: Ssebamala’s supporters claim the list was tampered with to favour Mao’s camp.
Violence and intimidation: Clashes broke out between rival factions, resulting in injuries and property damage.
Legitimacy of the conference: Many delegates question the fairness and transparency of the process.
The situation highlights deep divisions within the party, with some delegates expressing concerns about the leadership’s commitment to democratic principles.
