DP talks ahead of polls flop after Mao fails to show up

Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago (R) speaks to a police officer at Mengo Teachers’ Hall in Kampala yesterday after the DP meeting flopped. PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA

KAMPALA- An opportunity to reconcile the warring Democratic Party factions before a delegate’s conference called for tomorrow flopped yesterday.

A group led by the DP president general, Mr Norbert Mao, did not turn up for the meeting organised at Mengo Teachers Hall, Rubaga, leaving the group led by the Kampala Lord Mayor, Mr Erias Lukwago, stranded. A similar situation prevailed on Tuesday at nearby Pope Paul VI Memorial Hotel in Kampala on Tuesday.

Police commanded by Mr Robert Omara, the officer in charge of Lungujja Police Station, later stormed Mengo Teachers Hall after the meeting had been called off, saying the meeting was illegal.

“We have come here and discovered that the meeting being held here is illegal. Police did not grant permission to them,” Mr Omara said.

At the time of the police dispersal of Mr Lukwago’s faction, members, who had earlier held a closed-door meeting, were holding a press conference attended by, among others, former presidential candidate Samuel Walter Lubega, Richard Sebuliba Mutumba (DP vice president for Buganda) and several legislators.

Mr Lukwago advised DP supporters to keep calm and concentrate on the core values of DP.

“Whatever has been said should not divert you, let us keep calm and stick to the norms of our party. The important issues are well explained in the Zachary Olum report. Gentility does not presuppose docility….” he added.

Recommendations
Some of the recommendations in the July 1 Zachary Olum report mandated by DP’s National Executive Committee on June 12, include amending the DP constitution, DP National Council to put in place a specific committee to handle and conduct the National delegates’ conference, among others.

Mr Henry B. Ssewanyana, the secretary of the reconciliation committee, urged DP members not to lose hope in reconciliation.

“Don’t be discouraged; when we are able to assemble all the groups, we shall meet. It would make no meaning of reconciliation if all the groups are not represented,” Mr Ssewanyana said.

The DP secretary general, Mr Mathias Nsubuga, declined to comment on yesterday’s attempt at talks, referring the matter to Mr Mao. Attempts to speak to Mr Mao or DP party spokesperson Kenneth Paul Kakande were futile.

Mr Mao did not pick up our calls while Mr Kakande’s phone was off.