KAMPALA
Democratic Party (DP) President General Nobert Mao has reaffirmed his leadership and defended the legacy of Uganda’s oldest political party, insisting that DP remains central to the country’s political discourse despite internal disagreements.
Speaking at a press conference held Tuesday at the party’s headquarters on Balintuma Road, Rubaga, Mao said that DP’s resilience explains why “everybody is always talking about DP,” including President Yoweri Museveni, who was once a member of the party.
Mao announced that the complete list of nominated candidates for local government positions will be published within the week, followed by the official line-up of parliamentary aspirants.
“We want Ugandans to know that DP is organised, focused, and ready for the coming political contests,” Mao said.
He dismissed claims of disunity, arguing that political parties should be built on consensus rather than perpetual conflict. “A political party is an association of those who agree. If you want to disagree, then you don’t need to belong to that political party,” Mao said.
The DP leader also took a swipe at critics who question his leadership credentials, reminding them of his political journey from student activism to Parliament, his tenure as Gulu Local Government chairman, and two terms as a legislator before assuming DP’s top office.
In a lighter moment, Mao likened DP to the “fairest of them all” in a Snow White analogy, saying other parties are constantly reminded that DP remains a central force in Uganda’s politics.
DP, which has struggled with internal wrangles and defections in recent months, is seeking to reassert its relevance ahead of upcoming elections
