The ongoing DP delegates’ conference in Mbarara City erupted into chaos on Monday morning. Delegates protested after officials moved ballot boxes from the main tally centre to a nearby hotel.
The 12th Democratic Party (DP) national delegates’ conference started on Thursday in a tent at Asamar Hotel. At 6:30 a.m. on Monday, Presiding Officer Kennedy Mutenyo told delegates they would shift the tally centre to the hotel.
“The contract we had with the tent provider ended. We are now shifting the tally centre to the hotel,” Mutenyo said.
His statement sparked immediate anger. Delegates accused him and other officials of plotting to rig the vote in favor of Norbert Mao, the current DP President General and Justice Minister under the NRM government.
“We have a party treasurer. Let them sort the payment so we can continue the vote fairly,” said Samson Irenga from Masaka.
Mutenyo said the tent owner had already informed them of plans to dismantle it. He added that resolving payments wasn’t part of his duties.
As arguments intensified, plain-clothed men known as Kanyamas rushed into the tent. They took the ballot boxes and moved them to the hotel. Delegates tried to block them, but several boxes broke during the scuffle.
Police quickly surrounded the hotel. Esther Namara, District Police Commander of Mbarara City South, explained the reason for their presence.
“We are here to ensure law and order. Some individuals want to interrupt the process,” she said.
Delegates, however, believed something more serious was happening.
“They want chaos to cover up vote rigging. They even tried switching off the power, but we stayed vigilant,” said Annet Nakyanja, a candidate for the DP Women’s League presidency.
“You can’t move boxes into lodges and block even the candidates from seeing them. Only security and Mao’s team are inside. That’s not an election,” said Kingstone Tambula from Iganga Municipality.
Daniel Kita Mivule from Nansana Municipality shared the same suspicion.
“They knew they lost. That’s why they ran off with the boxes. Removing Richard Sebamala didn’t save them. We’re reclaiming DP,” he stated.
Organising Secretary Herbert Rutagwera had announced that the DP delegates’ conference would end on Sunday. However, it continued into Monday without final decisions on the party’s new leadership.
Calls to senior officials like Gerald Siranda and Rutagwera went unanswered, leaving delegates without answers.
The incident highlights deep divisions in Uganda’s oldest political party. It also raises concerns about transparency, fairness, and the use of security forces in internal elections.
