The Democratic Party (DP) President General, Norbert Mao has said parties that describe the government as a junta cannot expect public funding, urging internal critics to challenge his leadership through the party constitution instead of airing their grievances on social media.
Speaking to journalists at a press conference on Tuesday, October 20th, 2026, at DP headquarters on Balintuma Road, Mao said the Ugandan government has a responsibility to fund political parties to protect them from foreign influence, but noted that this support comes with certain conditions.
“You cannot be a political party on the one side, but at the same time you don’t recognise the legitimacy of the government, which is leading the country. They call the government a junta. So now me, I’m part of a junta,” Mao said.
He explained that the law requires parties to belong to the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD), noting that the current law was passed by a parliament in which the National Unity Platform (NUP) was represented.
As the current chair of the IPOD summit, Mao said he was looking forward to welcoming NUP, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) and the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) into the IPOD family, where they could access the funds.
“IPOD is not a political party. In fact, those who are in IPOD don’t agree on many issues and that is okay,” he said.
On internal party affairs, Mao acknowledged that the election of new leaders in Mbarara had caused some divisions, but maintained that he does not impose his views or form cliques within the party.
He criticised some young members for spending too much time in WhatsApp groups and engaging in media disputes instead of building party branches. Those unhappy with his leadership, he said, should challenge him at the next delegates’ conference.
“There is no point quarrelling about leadership. Propose the agenda, and don’t propose through the media. Propose through the proper organs of the party,” Mao said.
He added that the party constitution allows members to petition for the convening of the National Executive Committee or National Council.
Mao also recalled previous attempts to work with Robert Kyagulanyi, including an offer of the DP presidential ticket and a proposal to form a People Power Alliance. He said the party had spent over UGX 400 million on efforts to reunite the two sides before they eventually went their separate ways.
Mao urged young members to prioritise education and livelihoods while rebuilding the party from the grassroots, rather than relying on headquarters or television studios.
