Tensions remain high at the ongoing 12th Democratic Party (DP) National Delegates’ Conference in Mbarara City, as fresh controversy erupted Monday morning when ballot boxes were abruptly moved from the tally center to a nearby hotel.
Since Thursday, the conference has been held under a temporary tent at Asamar Hotel, but at around 6:30 a.m. on Monday, the presiding officer, Mr. Kennedy Mutenyo, announced that the tally center would be relocated into the hotel, citing an expired contract with the tent service provider.
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“Our agreement for the tent has ended, and we are now shifting the tally center to the hotel,” Mutenyo told delegates.
The announcement sparked immediate outrage, with some delegates accusing Mutenyo and other officials of manipulating the election process to benefit certain party leaders, including the incumbent president general, Mr. Norbert Mao, who also serves as the justice minister under the ruling NRM government.
One delegate, Mr. Samson Irenga from Masaka, urged the party to settle the tent payments to allow the electoral process to continue transparently. But Mutenyo distanced himself from financial responsibilities, saying he had no authority over service provider payments.
As tempers flared, security forces intervened. A group of plain-clothed security personnel, commonly known as “Kanyamas,” forcefully removed the ballot boxes and transported them to the hotel, leading to physical scuffles during which some boxes were damaged.
By press time, police had cordoned off the hotel where the ballot boxes were being held. Mbarara City South Division DPC Esther Namara said the deployment was to maintain order and prevent disruptions from individuals attempting to interfere with the process.
But several delegates and candidates remained skeptical of the motives behind the ballot transfer.
Ms. Annet Nakyanja, who is contesting for the DP Women’s League presidency, claimed the chaos was a smokescreen to rig the elections. “They have tried all tricks—cutting power and causing confusion—but we were vigilant,” she said.
Mr. Kingstone Tambula from Iganga Municipality criticized the secrecy surrounding the ballot transfer. “You can’t remove ballot boxes from public view and hide them in a hotel. Even the candidates aren’t allowed access. It’s just Mao’s group and security,” he said.
Daniel Kita Mivule from Nansana Municipality accused the current leadership of attempting to manipulate results after sensing defeat. “They knew they had lost, so they took the boxes. Their earlier tactic to disqualify Mr. Richard Sebamala didn’t work, and now they’re running scared,” he added.
Although the conference was scheduled to conclude on Sunday, it dragged into Monday without conclusive decisions, especially on new leadership. Several top party officials, including former Secretary General Gerald Siranda and Organizing Secretary Herbert Rutagwera, were unavailable for comment despite repeated phone calls.
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