DP leaders currently meeting in Masaka have rejected an apology given by Jude Mbabaali, the Bukoto Central Parliamentary loser for withdrawing an election petition challenging Vice President, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi.
Trouble for Mbabaali started last month when he decided to withdraw an election petition he filed challenging Sekandi’s election as Bukoto Central MP.
In March this year, Mbabaali dragged Ssekandi to court challenging his election over allegations of electoral malpractices and corruption. Mbabaali accused Ssekandi of bribing Tugume Mugisha, the Masaka Electoral Commission returning officer.
But on July 25th, Mbabaali withdrew the petition from Masaka High Court, where it was being heard by Justice Elizabeth Musoke, claiming that he had lost interest.
Mbabaali alleged that John Baptist Walusimbi, the Katikiro of Buganda and John Baptist Kaggwa, the Masaka diocesan bishop had asked him to withdraw the petition because it would embarrass the vice president, who is a member of the Catholic Church.
Mbabaali today appeared before Democratic Party leaders in Masaka to explain circumstances under which he withdrew the petition. DP National Executive summoned him to explain corruption and bribery allegations to party supporters at Masaka Social Center.
Mbabaali was also booed by some DP supporters, when he entered Masaka social center to defend himself.
Mbabaali apologized to over 200 party supporters and leaders from Greater Masaka region for the inconveniences he caused when he withdrew the case against Ssekandi. He explained that he was sorry he did not consult each one of his supporters in Masaka and Bukoto central in particular, because he did not have time.
Mbabaali claimed that as a result of lack of time, he decided to consult Norbert Mao, the party president, Mathias Nsubuga, the General Secretary and other leaders, who endorsed his withdrawal.
Mbabaali also claimed that he decided to withdraw the petition against Ssekandi because several of his witnesses had been bribed and they abandoned the case.
But several DP supporters who listened to his defense say they do not accept Mbabaali’s apology because he did not talk about the bribery allegations against him in his defense.
Muhammad Ssemujju, a DP leader from Bukoto south explains that the failure by Mbabaali to clear the air about allegations of bribery makes it difficult for them to forgive him.
Nsimbe Vincent, another DP leader from Kalungu says the failure by Mbabaali to consult DP supporters who voted for him means he does not respect them and he does not deserve another DP card in the 2016 general election.
Mathias Nsubuga, the Democratic Party Secretary General who summoned Mbabaali says they are going to write a report about his defense, which will be discussed by National Executive before taking another action against him.
Speaking to URN after defending himself, Mbabaali, who was dressed in a black suit, white shirt and red necktie refused to talk about the bribery allegations saying he has already talked about the issues.
DP president, Norbert Mao asked supporters to forgive Mbabaali because he was under pressure from catholic leaders and cultural leaders who put him on tension. Mao said the current pressure on Mbabaali has taught him a lesson to learn the importance of the party. Mao said he also found trouble with Mbabaali during his campaigns in Bukoto central saying he looked for him but could not find him.
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