Democratic Party (DP) president Norbert Mao has hit out at party members opposing the cooperation agreement with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), accusing them of playing the “politics of untouchability.”
Speaking at a news briefing on Tuesday, Mao decried what he called misinformation about the deal signed between DP and NRM in July 2022, dismissing claims that it only benefits the ruling party.
“In Uganda, there are political cult leaders who believe that one can’t talk to other political party members. That we call political untouchability,” he said.
Mao, who assumed the position of justice and constitutional affairs minister shortly after finalising the agreement with President Museveni, was addressing journalists following a DP convention in Soroti City.
He said the meetings in Soroti sought to tackle what he described as rigid political intolerance.
The gathering, however, was marked by sharp divisions, with Mao’s deputy, Mukasa Mbidde, leading voices calling for an end to the alliance, arguing that it served only the NRM.
Party members said the alliance was only benefiting Mao and a few close allies like Siranda who NRM seconded to the regional legislative assembly while the wider green-banner party was left clutching at straws.
But Mao appeared intent on addressing more than just internal disagreements.
“They were fighting the cooperation agreement because they went and forged the agreement to incite people against me,” he said, exposing some of the behind-the-scenes conflicts from the Soroti convention.
He further dismissed claims that the agreement barred DP from having headquarters in Buganda or that it guaranteed Mao and party secretary-general Gerald Siranda indefinite leadership.
“As a country, there needs to be political civility,” he argued, recalling how DP had previously engaged with NRM before a past leader chose to walk away from the arrangement.
He defended political engagements between rivals, citing the example of former DP leader Paul Ssemogerere, who, during the 1996 elections, introduced Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) figure Cecilia Ogwal as his “sister” to demonstrate unity against President Museveni.
The collaboration aimed to consolidate opposition efforts against the incumbent, against whom Ssemogerere was running.
To symbolise their unity and bridge historical political divides, Ssemogerere introduced Ogwal as his “sister” during their joint campaigns.
This gesture was particularly significant in regions like Luweero, which had been deeply affected by past conflicts associated with previous UPC administrations.
Mao also took a swipe at some DP members, alleging that their interest in party leadership was merely a stepping stone for personal ambitions.
“Richard Ssebamala wants to be president of DP but doesn’t know its constitution,” he charged.
Turning to the contentious “Lumu Bill,” Mao claimed it was backed by the NRM, but the ruling party later distanced itself from it.
“Richard Lumu came up with the most unpopular bill, and his sponsors from NRM had to disown him,” he said.
The Administration of Parliament Amendment Bill 2024, tabled by Mityana South MP Richard Lumu, seeks to change the process of selecting the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Parliament.
Under the current system, the position goes to the largest opposition party, but the bill proposes that all opposition MPs elect the LoP and Chief Opposition Whip.
Despite facing widespread criticism, including from NRM legislators who rejected it outright, the bill has ignited debate over leadership selection within Parliament.
Showing no intent to concede even an inch to his detractors, Mr Mao said: “If you don’t believe in constructive engagement then you don’t belong in DP. Those who preach ‘political untouchability’ in DP are finding themselves isolated.”
