Delegates’ Conference case against DP president Norbert Mao dismissed

The High court in Mbarara has dismissed with costs a judicial review application filed against Democratic Party (DP) president general and Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister, Norbert Mao.

Mao had been sued alongside six others and the Electoral Commission by DP members Edith Byanyima, Julius Dumba, and Henry Kasozi Lameck Kamya, who challenged the legality of the party’s 12th National Delegates’ Conference, which took place on May 31 at the Asamar Country Resort in Ruti, Mbarara.

Notably, the conference extended into early June, concluding around June 1–2, 2025, amid reports of organisational chaos, delayed proceedings, and contentious internal dynamics, which led some members to exit the party.

The petitioners asked court to nullify the conference elections and order fresh polls within two months. However, justice Allan Nshimye ruled that the 45 grounds cited were largely statements of fact rather than proper legal grounds for judicial review.

He further noted that the applicants had failed to exhaust internal party dispute resolution mechanisms before seeking court intervention, rendering the application premature.

The case was dismissed with costs awarded to respondents Kennedy Mutenyo, Herbert Rutagwera, Dr. Kiwanuka Mayambala Sempala, and the Electoral Commission. DP Western Region Vice President, Imam Makumbi, welcomed the ruling and gave the trio seven days to apologise or face disciplinary action from the party.