MBARARA .Maverick Bukoto Central legislator Richard Sebamala , key challenger to Norbert Mao’s planned extension of dominance at helm of Democratic Party (DP) has fired up the mood at the ongoing party delegates conference forcing organisers to delay the day’s activities .
Ecstatic supporters of Sebamala have dominated the function since Friday morning chanting praise songs of their candidate –creating a scene that portrays him as the favorite candidate to replace Mao as party president .
Sebamala who exhibited his mobilisation skills by crisscrossing regions from Tooro to West Nile to Acholi to Lango , Teso ,Bukedi ,Busoga ,Sebei and Buganda talking to party delegates has positioned him as the icing sugar on the cake .
“ Sebamala has proved that he can breathe new life in the bedridden DP and we are backing him for party President ,’’ shouted Joyce Kyesimira ,a delegate from Ntungamo .
Other contenders vying for party president include; the incumbent and justice and constitutional affairs minister Norbert Mao, who is seeking a fourth term in office , Buikwe South legislator Dr Michael Lulume Bayiga and party vice president in charge of Northern region Eria Alita.
Seasoned politician and former member of East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Fred Mukasa Mbidde is also fighting hard to retain the party vice president position and the same with Gerald Siranda , the current secretary general . But Mityana South legislator Richard Lumu who is in Sebamala camp is determined to uproot Siranda .
With all indicators showing that Sebamala’s wave may sweep Mao off the DP political stage , the current party leadership was by Friday afternoon strategizing how to keep their seats by talking to delegates one by one secretly –which paralyzed the day’s activities. Mao’s camp had earlier announced that Sebamala had been ejected from the race claiming he has not been a party member for 10 years as stipulated in the party constitution .But Sebamala described this as campaign propaganda aimed at confusing his supporters .
“Since organisers of the convention are also campaigning, everything is now on a standstill, I doubt whether we will complete the programme as scheduled,” Joseph Emwamu ,a delegate from Soroti complained
Mr Herbert Rutagwera, party’s Organising Secretary confirmed that none of the scheduled activities had commenced by 2:00pm, despite the programme indicating an early start.
“The conference was meant to begin in the morning with registration and verification of delegates from various constituencies, followed by a session with party elders to reconnect with the party’s values,” Mr Rutagwera said.
He added that the day was to include opening remarks from the President General, who would present an accountability report, and the Secretary General, who was also expected to address the delegates. Reactions from the floor were to follow before dissolving the current leadership and proceeding with elections.
“Financial constraints have also posed a significant challenge. It’s not easy to host over 1,000 people without sufficient resources,” he noted.
Speaking to Journalists, Mr Sebamala said he did a good mobilization and is assured of becoming the 8th DP president .A total of 56 party positions are expected to be filled .
“ We need a fresh start as a party and we are leaving Mbarara with Sembamala is DP next President ,” he said amid chants of praise from supporters .
Despite the energetic campaign mood at Asamar Country Resort Hotel , the venue for the event , many delegates expressed frustration with the event’s disorganization and lack of basic amenities.
“Imagine, it’s now 2:00pm and we haven’t even had breakfast. This is very poor organisation. Some of us are diabetic, others came with children. It’s extremely disappointing,” said Mr Sam Bwengye, a delegate from Ntungamo.
The conference is expected to run through the weekend, with elections slated to be the climax of the event.