By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
Democratic Party (DP) president general Norbert Mao has blamed internal party divisions and what he described as “reckless talk” and “narrow-minded” politics by some leaders for the party’s poor performance in the Kampala Lord Mayor race.
While reflecting on the party’s performance in the recently concluded elections, Mao said the party’s defeat in Buganda, particularly in Kampala was largely caused by infighting and negative messaging from within the DP ranks, which weakened voter confidence.
According to Mao, the negative messaging by some DP leaders discouraged voters by openly portraying the party as weak and unelectable.
“We lost our base and we lost it because of the reckless talk of our own leaders. You cannot be a bishop who goes around telling everybody that your church has been sold and that people are no longer worshipping the true God, and then you ask parents to bring their children for baptism. No one will bring their children,” Mao said.
In the narrow-minded politics that I talked about, Mao added, “Many of the councillors did not want to move with our DP candidate (Beatrice Mao) for Lord Mayor just because she has the last name Mao.”
Beatrice Mao, who is also Norbert Mao’s wife, polled 2,162 votes in the hotly contested race, finishing fourth.
The race was won by National Unity Platform (NUP)’s Eng. Ssalongo Ronald Balimwezo, who secured 141,220 votes out of 232,500 valid votes cast, representing 76.4 per cent. His closest contentender, Kizito Moses Nsubuga – NRM obtained 43,615 votes (18.8 per cent), while incumbent Erias Lukwago- PFF came third with 41,915 votes.
Independent candidate Naggayi Nabillah Ssempala polled 1,854 votes, Ibrahim Kasozi garnered 1,427 votes, Kibalama Eddie Bazira (independent) secured 188 votes, while Jonathan Yamureebire (independent) trailed with 119 votes.
Mao argued that DP candidates in the central region weakened their chances by imitating the political messaging of NUP instead of promoting the party’s ideology.
“If you are a DP candidate and you speak like NUP, voters will ask why they should vote for the copy instead of the original,” he said.
A visibly jubilant Mao said DP candidates in Kampala who spent more time confronting his leadership suffered a humiliating defeat because they failed to mobilize voters.
“All those who were spending all their time fighting the Mao leadership in Kampala went and lost because they spent more time talking to me than talking to their voters,” Mao said.
He added that some DP leaders discouraged voters by openly portraying the party as weak and unelectable.
“We lost our base and we lost it because of the reckless talk of our own leaders. You cannot be a bishop who goes around telling everybody that your church has been sold and that people are no longer worshipping the true God, and then you ask parents to bring their children for baptism. No one will bring their children,” Mao said.
He noted that while DP is in political cooperation with the NRM, its candidates in other regions maintained their party identity, which contributed to better electoral outcomes.
He cited Omoro District, where DP secured the majority of district council seats, and parts of Gulu City and Nwoya District where the party won several council and parliamentary positions.
“We knew we were in partnership with NRM but we never spoke like NRM. We spoke like DP,” he said.
Mao further revealed that the party struggled financially during the campaigns after failing to secure expected government funding, forcing him to authorise borrowing to support party activities.
Despite the loss, Mao said the outcome presents an opportunity for DP to reflect and reorganize.
“Let us pick the lessons and move on. What matters now is rebuilding the party and strengthening our grassroots support,” he said.
