The Democratic Party (DP) president, Norbert Mao has announced his return to the party headquarters, pledging to restore order, strengthen internal discipline, and refocus the party on the vision of its founders.
Addressing journalists on July 14th, 2026, at the DP headquarters, Mao said his immediate priority is to reorganize the party and ensure that its leadership remains committed to the party’s founding principles.
“I’m back at the DP party headquarters to restore order in the party. I’m here to clean up the party of anything or anybody who is not focused on the goals set by our founders,” Mao said.
Mao’s remarks come amid continued debate over the party’s leadership and its cooperation agreement with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, which has drawn criticism from sections of the opposition and some DP members.
Responding to criticism on social media regarding an earlier promise of a leadership transition, Mao questioned the sincerity of his critics.
“I see people on social media saying that I promised them a transition and asking how it has not happened. Firstly, you don’t believe in me. You don’t believe in cooperation, yet at the same time you ask, ‘Why are you not doing this?’ During the speakership race, you saw that NRM said that I’m not NRM. I think the speakership race answered that big question,” Mao noted.
Mao acknowledged that the Democratic Party is facing internal leadership challenges but argued that such difficulties are not unique to DP. He said the party requires renewal and fresh leadership to overcome what he described as “misguided ambition” within its ranks.
“The Democratic Party needs renewal; we need it primarily because of some of the problems we are facing in the leadership of the party, which has a name “misguided ambition” because it is not based on the constitution of the party,” he added.
Reflecting on the party’s history, Mao maintained that the Democratic Party has made significant sacrifices in Uganda’s political struggle. He also warned against the misuse of public office, describing abuse of power as the greatest danger to democratic governance.
“There is nobody qualified to lecture Democratic Party on suffering. We have had more people in prison than any other political party in Uganda. The greatest threat to democracy is the abuse of power.” Mao noted.
Looking ahead, Mao announced that the party will hold a week-long retreat later this month bringing together members of the National Executive Committee and elected Members of Parliament.
He said the retreat is intended to orient party leaders on the Democratic Party’s objectives and strengthen cohesion within the leadership.
Mao also called on party supporters to actively participate in grassroots politics by contesting for Local Council and Women’s Council positions, saying broad participation is essential to rebuilding the party and expanding its influence across the country.
