Newly re-elected Democratic Party President Norbert Mao has said that after successfully holding the delegates’ conference the party will now focus on winning The Democratic Alliance flag bearer position for the 2016 presidential elections.
Speaking to journalists at the party offices in Kampala, Mr Mao also urged all members to get back to business, saying the delegates conference held at Kingdom Hotel Katomi ended peacefully.
“The DC is now over and it is time to work, we are not idlers,” he said, in apparent reference to a splinter group led by Erias Lukwago, the embattled Lord Mayor of Kampala.
Mr Mao said the Buikwe trip he had with the area MP Dr Lulume Bayiga, his contender for the top party seat, was a success and that their unity strengthened the party.
“DP is not at the headquarters (City House); it lives in the hearts of the members,” he said adding: “You can come and sit here but you will be seen as an impostor.”
The DP president further revealed that former Buganda Premier, Mr Joseph Mulwanyamuli Ssemogerere is to convene a meeting where all members under the TDA will be invited. Mao says it’s because they ‘anticipated many conflicts’.
He noted that DP will rally behind any member chosen by TDA and advised Lukwago and his group to support him since they have no chance in being welcomed to TDA.
In a related development, the DP National Executive Committee will onAugust 28, vet those that have applied to contest on the party ticket in various constituencies.
Mao says that NEC is empowered by the party Constitution to reject any one’s application without explanation. “Nobody should say they have been locked out, they are free to contest,” he said adding: “NEC will sit and decide what to do for party members that stood as independents.”
The DP leader also warned all those using party colors to stop or face consequences.
“I asked Mr Mukasa Mbidde, the party’s Legal Advisor, to write to the Electoral Commission. The green and white are our colors, EC should inform those using them to stop,” he expressed.
Meanwhile, all newly-elected DP Executive Committee members will be sworn in on August 29 at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu.
