By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA,
Tension erupted at the Electoral Commission (EC) headquarters in Kampala on Monday after members of the Uganda Young Democrats (UYD), the youth wing of the Democratic Party (DP), stormed the premises demanding a meeting with EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama.
The youth, carrying pumpkins and mats as symbolic items of protest, accused the Commission of deliberately delaying action on their petition concerning the disputed DP Delegates Conference held in Mbarara last month.
Chanting slogans and holding placards, the group claimed the June conference was marred by massive irregularities, intimidation, and voter bribery. Several senior DP members have since challenged the outcomes, citing illegal amendments to the party constitution and fraudulent election of new party leaders.
“We issued a seven-day ultimatum last week, but the EC has remained silent. Their inaction is aiding impunity,” said Anthony Wadimba, the UYD president. “If the EC cannot resolve disputes within a political party, how can it be trusted to oversee a credible national election?”
The petitioners say they want the EC to nullify the outcomes of the Mbarara conference and compel the party to follow due constitutional processes.
Efforts to meet Justice Byabakama were unsuccessful as security officers informed the group that the chairperson was attending another meeting. Attempts by the youth to force entry into the premises prompted police to intervene, resulting in the arrest of several members. They were bundled into a waiting police patrol vehicle and taken to an undisclosed location.
As of press time, the EC had not issued any official statement regarding the incident or the status of the petition.
The confrontation underscores growing tensions within the Democratic Party and raises fresh concerns about the Electoral Commission’s ability to handle internal party disputes and ensure transparency ahead of the 2026 general elections.
