The Democratic Party (DP) has unveiled plans to field candidates in the upcoming Local Council I and II elections, a move party president Norbert Mao says is central to rebuilding its grassroots machinery ahead of future political contests.
Speaking on Tuesday, March 17th, 2026, at the party’s headquarters in Mengo, Mao framed the decision as a strategic effort to re-establish the party’s presence at the lowest levels of governance. He argued that durable political influence must be rooted in local structures.
“Leaders need roots. That is why I went back to contest a parliamentary seat. I am still here and not backing down. Integrity means doing what is right rather than what is convenient. Many Ugandans are yearning for principled leadership,” Mao said.
The announcement comes amid Mao’s continued push for the Speakership in Uganda’s 12th Parliament, signaling a calculated dual approach rebuilding the party from the ground up while simultaneously pursuing one of the country’s most powerful legislative positions.
Mao, who recently secured a parliamentary seat representing Laroo-Pece Division in Gulu City, said his Speakership bid remains firmly on course.
He further anchored his campaign on the theme of integrity, positioning himself as an alternative to what he described as convenience-driven politics.
The DP’s renewed focus on LC1 and LC2 elections reflects a broader recognition of the growing importance of grassroots structures in shaping national political outcomes.
By investing in village- and parish-level leadership, the party appears to be laying a foundation not only for electoral competitiveness but also for strengthening its ideological footprint.
