KAMPALA – Five people have so far declared that they will seek to challenge Norbert Mao for the presidency of the Democratic Party (DP).
On January 21, DP announced its roadmap for internal elections and party structures, which will climax with election of new party leaders in March.
Those seeking to unseat Mao include Dr. Micheal Lulume Bayiga, Muwanga Kivumbi, Samuel Walter Lubega Mukaaku and Brenda Nabukenya. Mao has also announced that he will seek re-election.
Mao, 53, in 2010 defeated former Kampala Mayor Nasser Ntege Ssebagala to the presidency.
He won re-election in 2015 at Katomi DP National Delegates Conference by over 60 percent, this time over former Buikwe South MP Micheal Lulume Bayiga.
Below are brief profiles about the candidates.
DR. MICHEAL LULUME BAYIGA
Dr Lulume Bayiga, 50, the former MP for Buikwe South constituency, also Shadow minister for Health in the 9th Uganda Parliament, announced his decision to run for the party presidency for the second time.
The announcement came in from a closed door meeting with his close and confidant political friends. Lulume rebuked the way the Mao administration has continued usurping powers of various party elected officials at the NEC, including the office of the Organising Secretary.
MOHAMMED MUWANGA KIVUMBI
Muwanga Kivumbi, 47, the Butambala county MP, has served in both 9th and 10th Parliament. He made his candidacy to some of his fellow Members of Parliament on DP ticket and some of the opposition MPs last week.
Mr Kivumbi is currently the Shadow Minister of Defense and Internal Affairs in the 10th Parliament.
SAMUEL WALTER LUBEGA MUKAAKU
Mr. Lubega, who is a former presidential candidate in 2011 race, became the first member of DP bloc to formally declare his bid for the party presidency. Lubega is a former Parliamentary candidate in Mawokota South constituency on an independent ticket.
BRENDA NABUKENYA
Nabukenya announced she was joining the race in December 2019 after unsuccessfully petitioning the National Council by moving a motion of vote of no confidence to Dep. Secretary General, Dr. Siranda Gerald Blacks and Dep. National Chairman of the party, Dr. Kiwanuka Mayambala on allegations of corruption, incompetence, illegal conduct and violation of core values and principles of DP.
She announced her candidature in a written statement to the press. “I’m running for the President of DP to restore credible leadership, have accountability, revamp DP, and organize a cohesive membership and focusing the DP to the biggest struggle.
The 40-year-old is a former woman Member of Parliament for Luweero district in the 9th Parliament and the outgoing Uganda Young Democrats President.
