By Police in Kampala have arrested at least four members of the Uganda Young Democrats (UYD), including their president emeritus, Ismael Kirya, and current president Michael Mpunge after they attempted to storm the Electoral Commission (EC) headquarters on Seventh Street in protest.
The group was demanding a response from EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama regarding their petition challenging the Democratic Party (DP) delegates’ conference held in Mbarara, which re-elected Justice Minister Nobert Mao as party president.
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The protesters, who accused the EC of “turning a blind eye” to their grievances, were intercepted by security forces as they tried to force their way into the EC premises.
Speaking to journalists before the march, Kirya said the group had given the EC a seven-day ultimatum to respond to their petition, which has been pending for more than three months.
“Up to now, the Electoral Commission has not communicated anything to us or given any sign that our petitions will be heard soon, despite elections being near the corner,” Kirya stated.
He further alleged that DP president Nobert Mao has previously bragged about his influence in the judiciary, undermining efforts to seek legal redress.
Michael Mpunge , the current UYD president, said the group was seeking a “formal engagement” with the EC, noting that they have submitted seven petitions since before and after the Mbarara delegates’ conference.
“We thought it prudent to visit the EC for a discussion on our grievances. The petitions have taken over three months without feedback,” Mpunge said.
The EC Principal Public Relations Officer Paul Bukenya confirmed that the commission had received petitions regarding the DP delegates’ conference but criticized UYD for issuing an ultimatum.
“You don’t give the Commission an ultimatum. We know the timelines and handle petitions following due process,” he said, adding that the matter is before the commission and will be addressed.
He assured petitioners that communication will be made once the issue is concluded, noting that the commission is currently handling multiple petitions from different stakeholders.
The EC official emphasized that security-related arrests fall outside the commission’s mandate.
By press time Police had not issued a statement on the arrests and the charges preferred against them
