Democratic Party (DP) President and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, has officially picked nomination forms to seek a fourth term as DP president. The announcement was made on April 29, 2025, at the party headquarters in Kampala, ahead of the DP’s National Delegates Conference scheduled for May 30 to June 1 in Mbarara City.
During the press briefing, Mao addressed internal party disputes and criticism over his 2022 cooperation agreement with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), which led to his appointment as Justice Minister. He dismissed the criticisms as “petty squabbles” and emphasized his commitment to steering the party through its current challenges. “I am still the strong man who will drive DP out of these turbulences,” he stated.
“Before you elect a party leader, ask yourself, can that person be taken seriously where national issues are discussed?” Mao snapped, taking a clear jab at his internal opponents.
Mao also announced that DP Vice President Fred Mukasa Mbidde would serve as his campaign manager. Mbidde, who had previously criticized the DP-NRM cooperation agreement, has since reconciled with Mao, signaling a tentative truce within the party leadership.
In his speech, Mbidde who also sought interest in retaining the party’s Vice President seat stated: “We offered the NRM our engine Norbert Mao, to start their bus on the road to transition. But the engine hasn’t been given an opportunity,” he quipped, sarcastically questioning the fruits of the cooperation deal.
Adding that”: “DP has not merged with NRM, nor is it in a coalition or alliance. Cooperation does not mean abandoning our principles,”
Mbidde also welcomed the campaign Manager job said he will deliver Mao Presidency .
The DP has faced internal wrangles, with several members defecting to other parties, notably the National Unity Platform (NUP). Critics, including Bukoto Central MP Richard Sebamala, have accused Mao of leading the party into decline. In response, Mao has consistently reiterated his focus on confronting divisive politics and maintaining the party’s integrity.
The party’s upcoming delegates conference is expected to address these internal issues and chart a course for DP’s future