Richard Lumu, the MP for Mityana South, has told Bbeg Media that Norbert Mao, the DP president general, has made him hate the party.
In an in interview, he voiced his frustration with Mao, accusing him of undermining the party’s core values of democracy, rule of law, and justice.
“Mao has made me hate DP, although my issue is not with the party but with certain bad elements within its leadership,” Lumu said.
Lumu vowed not to seek re-election on a DP ticket unless significant changes occur, citing the lack of democratic processes at the Mbarara conference.
Lumu highlighted the mistreatment of MPs Richard Sebamala (Bukoto Central) and Dr. Michael Lulume Bayiga (Buikwe South) during the recently held delegates’ conference in Mbarara [Watch full video interview below].
He said the two MPs were assaulted by security personnel on Mao’s orders for attempting to voice concerns.
He described the conference as a “sham election,” claiming no legitimate voting took place and that Mao’s team manipulated the process.
According to Lumu, DP has 1,236 registered voters, yet 1,366 votes were recorded, raising questions about the validity of the results.
Electoral Irregularities
Lumu criticized the conference for violating the Parliamentary Elections Act, pointing to the movement of ballot boxes and the appointment of Kenneth Mutenyo as the presiding officer instead of the preferred Dr. Balojja. He estimated that only 700 delegates from 385 constituencies and 85 districts should have voted, contradicting the reported figures.
He questioned the party’s financial sustainability, noting that he has stopped paying his party fees and urged Mao to seek funds elsewhere, sarcastically suggesting President Museveni as a source.
He accused Mao of setting unrealistic goals, such as expecting only 50 MPs in 2026, when Lumu believes the party could aim for 529 legislators with proper reforms.
He also criticized Mao’s cooperation agreement with the NRM government, calling it a self-serving move that lacked proper consultation. Lumu recounted leaving a meeting at Hotel Africana after some disagreements, only to learn later of Mao’s ministerial appointment, which he viewed as a betrayal.
Lumu proposed that the Electoral Commission declare the Mbarara conference null and void due to its irregularities. He called for an independent mediation team, including party elders like Prof. Frederick Ssempebwa and Dr Francis Wazaraki Bwengye to restore harmony.
He said this team would oversee fresh elections and persuade Mao’s leadership to step aside to address the party’s internal conflicts, which Lumu described as marked by “bickering, hypocrisy, selfishness, and mistrust.”
Lumu said he will not seek a party ticket under Mao, arguing that doing so would legitimize an “illegitimate leader.”
He attributed his electoral success to his personal charisma, organizational skills, and DP’s historical support base, rather than Mao’s leadership. He also accused Mao of using tribalism to silence dissent, particularly targeting Buganda politicians by labeling them as power-hungry and selfish.
Lumu emphasized the need for Buganda to elect knowledgeable and objective legislators who prioritize regional issues over petty politics.
He urged Mityana South constituents to support his development initiatives, including poultry and coffee farming, road improvements, school construction, healthcare services, and bursaries for needy children. He also announced an upcoming health camp to provide free medical treatment in his constituency.
