MBARARA
Norbert Mao has been declared the newly elected president of the Democratic Party (DP) for a fourth consecutive term, extending his leadership in Uganda’s oldest political party amid ongoing internal disputes.
Mao secured 969 votes in Monday’s hotly contested internal election held during the party’s national delegates’ conference in Kampala. His closest challenger, Dr. Lulume Bayigga, polled 339 votes, while Elia Alitia came third with 52 votes.
The vote, conducted under tight security and heavy media presence, drew hundreds of delegates from across the country. It followed weeks of heated campaigning that exposed sharp ideological and strategic rifts within the party.
The victory gives Mao, who has led the Democratic Party since 2010, another five-year mandate at the helm of the party. However, it also comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over the DP’s relevance, internal unity, and electoral strategy ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Speaking shortly after being declared winner, Mao said the election was a reflection of the party’s democratic values.
“This is a mandate not just to lead, but to rebuild, reconcile, and revitalize the Democratic Party,” he said.
