Politics is a competition to serve, not a struggle for survival – Mao

7 May 2025, 10:32 am

By Ronald Ssemajonja

The longest-serving political party in Uganda, the Democratic Party (DP), yesterday concluded a crucial exercise for the nomination of party members wishing to stand for various positions on the party ticket. Voting will take place in Mbarara in a few weeks.

In his address at Balintuma, Kampala, where the exercise took place, the fifth President General of DP, Hon. Norbert Mao, who has held the position for 15 years, confirmed his bid to stand for re-election as party President General.

The party has had several Presidents General, including Joseph Kasolo, the first president of DP from 1954 to 1956; Matayo Mugwanya from 1956 to 1958; Benedicto Kiwanuka from 1958 to 1962, who later became the Chief Justice of Uganda; Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere from 1972 to 2005; and the incumbent Norbert Mao, who was recognised by the Deputy DP President, Hon. Fred Mukasa Mbidde, as a capable leader able to solve the party’s problems.

“Politics is about a competition to serve, not a struggle for survival. It must not be a matter of life and death. I have been the President of DP for 15 years, during the most difficult times in the life of this party, but I am here by choice. Nobody has forced me. This campaign for the leadership of the party will draw a line between those who love the party and those who love only themselves, indifferent to whether the party dies, as long as they stay alive. The ruling party, NRM, and FDC used to share the 9 seats of EALA — NRM would take 6 and FDC 3. DP opened that door, allowing for competition,” he said.

Mao went on to tell the public that those who have stepped forward to compete with him should understand that they are not competing with him, but with someone who already has the ball. “In Uganda today, the person with the ball is President Museveni, so by kicking Mao’s legs, you will not become President of Uganda. When Ugandans look at you, my fellow contestants for President of DP, do they see in you a President of Uganda? Do you really look like someone who will address the nation in Kololo? Can you go and debate with Donald Trump? This kind of competition does not exist in Kyadondo, Kavule, Najjanankumbi, or even in Katonga. I want to pledge that this party belongs to the members, not to the leaders. Those talking about a cooperation agreement will have to wait until after the National Delegates Conference,” he said.

Additionally, Mbabazi Lilian, who wishes to stand for Kyotera District Woman Member of Parliament on the DP ticket, pledged to the members that she would become the light of the party in that district. “I am the one who has come to rescue you, the people of Kyotera District, because there are many challenges in various sectors such as agriculture and transport, among others. I want to assure my party that I am ready to represent them well. I am ready to accept whatever will come out of the Delegates Conference,” she said.

The Deputy President in the Buganda Region, George Kagimu, said that the guidelines in place will enable the party to elect credible leaders. Regarding the challenges in the Buganda Region, Kagimu promised that the party would gain more momentum after the Delegates Conference in Mbarara.

According to the party’s Electoral Commission, members who wished to contest for various positions were required to pay a nomination fee. Those wishing to become party President General paid Uganda Shillings 10 million, while candidates for Secretary General paid Uganda Shillings 5 million, among other fees. These fees are non-refundable.

The aspiring Secretary General of the party, Ismail Kirya, speaking to journalists, expressed concerns about how the exercise was being conducted. “As DP members, we need an independent Electoral Commission that can be trusted by every member, so that we can show the country what we can offer Ugandans. Because what we are accusing President Museveni of doing, is exactly what we are doing. I want to take this position and clean the system,” he said.