A New Era for DP? Kiirya Ismail’s Bid for Secretary General Shakes Party as Delegates Turn Against Siranda

Kiirya, a rising star within the party and a trusted youth leader, has been widely praised for his unwavering loyalty to DP, his capacity to unify members, and his performance as Acting Spokesperson a role he assumed after DP President Nobert Mao appointed him while the official spokesperson was abroad.

“I’m not in this race to occupy an office. I’m here to restore DP’s dignity, reconnect it with its people, and prepare it for the future,” Kirya declared during a rally in Mbale.

Kiirya Ismail is not an outsider or opportunist, he is the embodiment of DP’s surviving spirit. As President of UYD, he has spearheaded youth mobilization efforts across the country, turning quiet corners into active DP cells and inspiring thousands of young Ugandans to believe in the party once again.

Under his stewardship, UYD has become the most active and ideologically driven youth wing of any major party in Uganda. When the party needed a voice, Mao turned to Kiirya. And when the youth needed direction, they turned to him as well.

“Kiirya speaks the language of unity, of revival. He is one of us and he is for all of us,” said one DP member.

Siranda and the Shadow of the MOU

As Kiirya's bid gains ground, current Secretary General Gerald Siranda finds himself under intense scrutiny not just for his leadership, but for his involvement in the controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between DP and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) under President Yoweri Museveni.

Party delegates have not forgiven Silanda for what many see as a betrayal.

 “DP would still be a great and independent party today if Siranda had not connived with Mao to sign that MOU with NRM,” said one angry delegate during a recent meeting in Masaka. “That act handed our soul to the regime.”

This growing resentment has made Kirya’s candidacy more than a campaign, it is a movement of reclamation.

Kiirya is campaigning on a clear, people focused agenda, bridging internal rifts caused by the MOU and years of factionalism, rebuilding public trust in DP as a serious alternative,recruiting youth through activism, ideology, and engagement and modernizing the party structure to reflect Uganda’s demographic realities

His approach is rooted in dialogue, action, and visibility qualities many say have been absent in recent leadership.

“Kiirya’s campaign is exactly what DP needs. He’s young but seasoned, strategic but approachable,” said a member of UYD . “He reminds us that DP doesn’t have to die, it can be reborn.”

The May 30 Countdown

With the decisive vote scheduled for May 30, tension is mounting within party circles. Siranda is said to be frantically working behind the scenes to retain his position, but sources confirm that Kirya’s support especially among youth and regional delegates is steadily rising.

 “We want a Secretary General who reflects the future, not someone who signed it away,” a youth leader from Gulu commented.

Kiirya Ismail has emerged as the face of DP’s possible renaissance. He brings credibility, youthful energy, and a clean record, something increasingly rare in Uganda’s political arena. More than a candidate, Kirya represents a chance for DP to write a new story, one of unity, integrity, and public trust.

And as May 30 draws closer, the question is not whether Kiirya has a chance but whether DP is ready to save itself.