Mao calls for DP unity, welcomes talks with dissenting members

14 July 2026, 3:11 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The President General of the Democratic Party (DP) and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, has called on party members who have differences with him to return and resolve their disagreements through dialogue.

Speaking to the media at the party headquarters in Kampala, Mao said he is ready to work with all members interested in strengthening the party instead of airing grievances through the media.

“Anyone interested in holding any position in the Democratic Party should come and we discuss. Speaking too much in the media is not the right way to handle our issues,” Mao said.

He also expressed satisfaction over the removal of the former Speaker of Parliament, saying he hopes the new Speaker will tackle corruption in Parliament.

“I am happy that we now have a new Speaker. I urge him to fight corruption which has been happening in the Parliament of Uganda,” he said.

Mao further appealed to DP members to remain calm, revealing that, as chairperson of the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) Summit, he had invited President Yoweri Museveni to participate in the summit, an invitation the President accepted.

He also disclosed that he had engaged the Secretary General of the National Unity Platform (NUP), expressing optimism that the party would officially join the summit.

On the proposed Private Member’s Bill seeking changes to the selection of the Leader of the Opposition, Mao said he had consulted the Deputy Attorney General, who confirmed that drafting of the proposal had been instructed.

He maintained that Ugandans should determine who becomes Leader of the Opposition.

“I don’t think it is fair to make someone who finished in eighth place become the Leader of the Opposition, but we are waiting to see how the process goes,” Mao said.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Chairperson of Lower Nsooba Village in Kawempe Division, Kampala, Suleiman Sekanyo, said the Electoral Commission’s display of the voters’ register has progressed smoothly in the area.

He encouraged residents to participate in the upcoming Local Council and Women Council elections scheduled for July 23 and July 28, 2026.

“Since the registration process began, the exercise has been successful in our village. I encourage everyone to take part in the elections because local leaders play a very important role in our communities,” Sekanyo said.