Democratic Party (DP) President-General Norbert Mao has once again placed himself at the center of Uganda’s political debate after publicly throwing his weight behind President Yoweri Museveni’s bid for another term in 2026.
On the eve of presidential nominations, Mao spoke candidly to the Nile Post, making it clear that his decision was personal and not one he intended to hide. “The party will make a statement, but as for me as Mao, I will back President Museveni for the next election. I’m not ashamed and afraid to say that,” he said.
Mao has vied for the country’s top office in the past, but his latest position signals a shift in focus. Since 2022, his DP has been working in formal cooperation with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). That partnership elevated Mao to the Cabinet as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. He indicated that the pact remains in force and will be renegotiated after the 2026 elections. “For the past two to three years, DP has worked in cooperation with the ruling NRM party. That engagement is ongoing, and new terms will be discussed for the next term of office,” he noted.
While critics see this as the end of Mao’s presidential ambitions, he rejected that interpretation. He stressed that his long-term goal of leading Uganda remains alive, though his immediate task is strengthening DP’s grassroots networks to prepare for what he described as a political “transitional table” after Museveni.
His position has not gone unchallenged. Opposition figures, among them DP’s parliamentary leader Mathias Mpuuga, dismissed Mao’s arguments for aligning with the NRM. Mao responded calmly, insisting his choices will be justified in time. “I have heard what Mpuuga said. I know what I’m saying. We have been together and time will tell,” he remarked, hinting that other opposition leaders were quietly considering a similar path for what he called the common good.
Mao’s declaration coincided with confirmation from DP vice president Fred Mukasa Mbidde that the party will not present a presidential candidate in the 2026 elections. Instead, DP plans to direct its limited resources toward parliamentary and local government races, a strategy leaders believe could deliver greater political influence.
The cooperation agreement signed in July 2022 between DP and NRM committed both parties to work together in areas such as justice, peace, security, rule of law, and economic development. Mao’s latest endorsement, coupled with DP’s decision not to contest the presidency, makes the party one of the rare opposition formations openly aligning with Museveni’s campaign, reshaping Uganda’s political map ahead of the 2026 vote.
