Kampala — Norbert Mao has been declared the newly elected President of the Democratic Party (DP) for a fourth term. He won the party’s top seat with a landslide, securing 969 votes. His closest rival, Dr. Lulume Bayiga, got 339 votes, while Alitia Elia received just 52.
Mao, who is also Uganda’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, has led the Democratic Party since 2010. Despite this overwhelming victory, his leadership continues to face criticism and controversy.
In the lead-up to the election, some party members expressed concerns about transparency and fairness in the process. Dr. Bayiga and other critics accused Mao of using his position in government to influence party affairs. Many within the DP have long questioned his alliance with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Yoweri Museveni.
Mao’s appointment as Justice Minister in 2022, under Museveni’s government, intensified accusations that he had “sold” the Democratic Party to the NRM. Some party loyalists say his cooperation with the ruling party goes against the DP’s long-standing opposition stance.
Despite the controversies, Mao remains confident in his leadership. In his victory speech, he called for unity and promised to continue strengthening the party. He also defended his decision to work with the government, saying it’s part of a strategy to bring change from within.
Still, critics argue that the Democratic Party has lost its independence and influence under his watch. The road ahead for Mao and the DP will likely continue to be filled with both support and strong opposition.
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June 2, 2025
