14 November 2009
Kampala — DIVISIONS in the Democratic Party (DP) have deepened, triggering a rumour that the planned delegates' conference may either be postponed or cancelled.
The conference, scheduled for next month, is expected to elect the new party leadership including a presidential candidate for the 2010 elections. But if the rumour is to be believed, then the aspiring candidates will have to wait longer or forget.
Insiders say the decision to halt the party elections is calculated to stop Kampala Mayor Nasser Sebaggala and Mukasa Mbidde from taking over the party presidency and vice-presidency, respectively.
The two have reportedly raised a substantial amount of money and have embarked on a nationwide tour, meeting DP district officials. They have reportedly won over the majority of district officials and a delegates conference would easily hand them power.
The incumbent leadership under former Kampala mayor Ssebaana Kizito is fighting to ensure that Sebaggala and Mbidde's bid fails. Sources at the party headquarters say there are two options being considered - postponing the elections or not having them.
The latter option, according to the source, is gaining popularity. If taken, it will see Ssebaana's term extended and give him an opportunity to run for presidency for a second time. In 2006, he contested and polled less than 1% of the total vote.
Last Sunday, we reported a rumour that Mbidde had ditched the alliance with Sebaggala opting for Gulu Municipality chairman Norbert Mao. It is now emerging the rumour was started and circulated to divert the Ssebaana camp, which was preparing to release information to damage the Sebaggala-Mbidde camp.
The pro-Ssebaana camp reportedly has information that the two are being sponsored by the State to kill DP. They are accused of being funded by one of the intelligence agencies, an accusation Mbidde has denied.
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