Kampala, Uganda: A group of members from the Uganda Young Democrats (UYD) stormed the Electoral Commission (EC) offices on Tuesday, demanding a meeting with Chairman Justice Simon Byabakama to discuss their pending petition regarding the recent DP delegates conference in Mbarara.
The group consisted of Kirya Ismail, UYD President Emeritus and Secretary General Elect, Michael Puunge, UYD President Elect, Anthony Waddimba, former personal assistant to DP Chairman Norbert Mao and current DP Chairman of Kayunga District and Julius Dumba UYD Chairperson of Kampala.
Addressing a press conference shortly before they stormed the EC office in Kampala, the group claimed that their petition, filed over three months ago, has gone unanswered. Despite an earlier ultimatum issued by the UYD, the Electoral Commission has not provided a formal response or indication of when the petition will be heard.
In the Petition, the group described the recent DP delegates conference as fraudulent and violating the Political Parties and Organizations Act
“Although we are pursuing other legal means as the commission advised, we are aware that the Hon. Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Nobert Mao is on record boasting and assuring colleagues in previous internal DP meetings of how DP cannot win cases is a judiciary he controls. Indeed, recent DP cases brought against him have been grossly mismanaged in the High Court,” said Kirya while reading a statement on Tuesday on behalf of the group.
He added, “We believe the Political Parties and Organizations Act empowers the Electoral Commission to act on parties that violate their own constitutions and the Supreme Law, and our petition falls within this jurisdiction.”
The group vowed to sleep at the Electoral Commission offices until their grievances are heard.
“Maybe he (Justice Simon Byabakama) doesn’t know the pain we are going through. That is why we are taking, we want to take this pumpkin for him to see, because he doesn’t know DP’s problems. Maybe he will understand that our leaders are green outside and yellow inside. We want to demonstrate it to him personally,” Waddimba said
“Secondly, he may not be there in office, so we are taking these mats. We are going to sleep there at the Electoral Commission until we see Justice Simon Byabakama, because we have pain,” he added.
However, the group was arrested before they could meet the EC boss.
According to Patrick Onyango, Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, the group was charged with being a common nuisance.
“After being advised to schedule an appointment, the group became violent, leading to their arrest and subsequent charging with being a common nuisance,” he said
They are currently being held at Kabalagala Police Station.
When contacted by journalists, Electoral Commission deputy spokesperson Paul Bukenya commented on the petition, saying the commission had received several petitions relating to the conduct of the DP delegates conference in Mbarara.
Bukenya noted that the petitions seek to stop the commission from gazetting the elected leaders and other matters related to the conference. He emphasized that the commission follows due process and cannot be given an ultimatum to handle the petitions.
“We know the petitioners, and we are in touch with them. The matter is before the commission for consideration,” Bukenya said. He added that the commission has been handling petitions from special interest groups and other stakeholders, and the petition from the UYD will be handled accordingly.
Bukenya assured that the commission will communicate with the petitioners and provide guidance on the matter. He emphasized that the petitioners should follow the proper channels and allow the commission to handle the matter within its mandate.
