Kampala — High Court Judge Joyce Kavuma is set to deliver her ruling tomorrow, Friday, January 9, 2026, in a case filed by a group of senior Democratic Party (DP) members led by Bukoto Central Member of Parliament, Hon. Richard Ssebamala.
The applicants are challenging the manner in which the recent Democratic Party National Delegates Conference was conducted in Mbarara City between May 30 and June 2, 2025.
According to court documents, Ssebamala and his group contend that they had expressed interest in contesting for various leadership positions within the party, duly picked nomination forms, and fulfilled all the required conditions for candidature. However, they allege that they were later shocked to discover that their names had been removed from the final list of candidates by the party’s Electoral Commission without any explanation or communicated grounds.
The applicants are also challenging the appointment of Kennedy Mutenyo as Chairperson of the Party Electoral Commission, arguing that his appointment and the entire electoral process violated the Democratic Party Constitution.
Additionally, the petitioners told court that they were unlawfully locked out of the delegates’ conference while elections were ongoing, an act they say undermined internal party democracy and the rights of eligible contestants.
On this basis, they asked court to overturn the process that led to the declaration of Norbert Mao as Democratic Party President and Gerald Siranda as Secretary General.
Among the remedies sought, the applicants want court to annul the disputed elections and declare the entire process unconstitutional. They are also seeking an order compelling the party to convene a fresh, lawful National Delegates Conference.
Further, they have requested an injunction restraining the Democratic Party from engaging in future undemocratic practices, as well as general damages for emotional distress, reputational harm, and inconvenience suffered as a result of the disputed process.
