Court Decides Tomorrow on Ssebamala’s Case Against Mao Leadership

Kampala– High Court Judge Joyce Kavuma has set the Friday 9th January 2026 as the date on which she will deliver a ruling in a matter which was filed by Democratic Party (DP) Senior Member led by Bukoto Central Legislator, Hon. Richard Ssebamala challenging the manner in which the Party’s Delegates conference was held in Mbarara City from May 30 to June 2, 2025.

The documents before High Court Civil Division in Kampala indicate that Ssebamala and the group had expressed interest in contesting on several leadership positions, picked nomination forms and fulfilled all the requirements.

The members, allege that they were surprised when their names were removed from the final list of candidates by the Party’s Electoral Commission without substantive grounds.

They also challenge the manner in which Kennedy Mutenyo was appointed as the Chairperson for the Party’s Electoral Commission that the whole process was in violation of their Constitution.

The Petitioners also brought it to the attention of Court that the process of locking them outside when elections were on going, undermines the Internal democracy of the Party.

It’s on the above background that they requested court to overturn the process which led to the declaration of Norbert Mao as party president and Gerald Siranda as Secretary General.

On top of that, they also asked for declarations and orders like; The Annulment of the elections and a declaration that the process was unconstitutional, a court order compelling the party to convene a fresh and lawful National Delegates Conference.

An injunction restraining the DP from engaging in future undemocratic practices as well as

general damages for emotional distress, reputational harm, and the inconvenience suffered.

Benedicto Kiwanuka Galiko, one of the Staunch Democratic Party members with a number leadership cases pending before Courts of law, while commenting on the matter stated that the ruling in this matter will be of great importance especially in resolving most of the leadership related cases within the party.

“We are grateful that the trial judge accepted to depend on the old party Constitution in determining this matter.” Galiko added

This matter was last heard in court on 17th December 2025.