7 November 2009
Kampala — In the run up to the delegates' conference, alliances in the Democratic Party (DP) are emerging. Mukasa Mbidde, who was catapulted into the limelight by the militant Uganda Young Democrats, the party's youth wing, is said to be the master weaver.
After positioning himself as a candidate for the party vice-presidency, Mbidde is reportedly weighing the candidate whom he will back for the presidency.
First, he was reportedly pushing for Kampala mayor Hajji Nasser Sebaggala for party presidency.
This would see the two friends lead the party. But he has reportedly switched to Gulu LC5 chairman Norbert Mao.
Mbidde's supporters are describing the bid as a move to forge a Buganda-northern alliance which would secure DP victory in 2011 election. The political alliance comes against a backdrop of a rumour linking Mbidde's daughter to a man who hails from the north.
However, the conservatives, who want to have a Muganda at the helm, are reportedly backing Samuel Walter Lubega for party presidency. A section at the DP headquarters is reportedly determined to ensure his victory.
With the assurance Lubega is confident. He is only expecting a win, nothing less.
Lubega, 43, is currently the chairman of DP in the UK and Ireland. But critics have reportedly dismissed him as a junior party member without the skill and experience to run the party and also become president of Uganda.
Lubega, who has been a DP activist since 1989, has worked as a teacher, researcher, lecturer and businessman over the years.
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