DP members oppose Mao’s speakership bid, demand his resignation

Masindi: A section of members of the Democratic Party (DP), identifying themselves as “DP at Heart,” have opposed the decision of party president Norbert Mao to contest for the position of Speaker of the 12th Parliament of Uganda, calling for his immediate resignation as party president.

Mao, who also serves as Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, is among legislators vying for the speakership.

While addressing journalists at Albert Palace Gardens in Masindi on Saturday, the group accused Mao of failing to consult party members before expressing interest in the position. They further claimed he is holding office illegitimately.

Julius Damba, the DP spokesperson for Rubanga, alleged that Mao did not have the party’s mandate to enter the race. He also accused Mao of irregularly securing the party ticket for the Laroo-Pece Division parliamentary seat in Gulu City, claiming it was taken from Simon Opoka.

“We did not send Mao to participate in the speakership race. We cannot allow a leader with such conduct to represent the party at that level,” Damba said.

Damba added that DP, as a custodian of constitutionalism and the interests of Ugandans, cannot support what he described as self-serving leadership.

“Our party stands for the people and the Constitution of Uganda. We are demanding Mao’s immediate resignation because he is acting in his own interest rather than that of the party,” he said.

He further criticized Mao’s cooperation with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), accusing him of being complicit in the passage of laws they described as oppressive.

“DP was founded on the principles of social justice and the rule of law. Since joining the NRM fold, Mao has gone silent on key issues and supported laws that contradict the party’s core values,” Damba added.

The group called on DP members across the country to unite in what they described as efforts to restore the party’s integrity and independence.

Ismail Kirya, former president of the Uganda Young Democrats (UYD), said the cooperation agreement between DP and NRM under which Mao recently attended a retreat at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi has expired.

Kirya noted that the agreement had focused on issues such as national dialogue, reconciliation, constitutional review, and peaceful transfer of power from President Yoweri Museveni.

“As DP at Heart, we are working to liberate the party from what we see as undue influence. We have embarked on consultations with party elders and district leaders to chart a way forward,” Kirya said.

He revealed that the group recently held consultations with DP elders from the Tooro sub-region in Kamwenge and was, on Saturday, meeting stakeholders from the Bunyoro sub-region in Masindi.

“These engagements are shaping our next course of action as we seek to revive the strength and legacy of the Democratic Party,” Kirya added.

Anthony Wandiba, DP Chairperson for Kayunga District, said Mao’s recent appearance at the National Resistance Movement (NRM) retreat in Kyankwanzi purportedly under the DP-NRM cooperation agreement was based on an expired arrangement.

“There are even reports that copies of this fraudulent document were distributed to attending MPs. This was a personal arrangement without consultation of any DP organ. We want to inform the country that the said agreement is expired and cannot be relied upon to conduct DP affairs,” Wandiba said.

He explained that the agreement, signed in July 2022, was only valid until the most recent general elections held in January this year. Wandiba commended the NRM for declining to act on what he termed a “fraudulent document,” saying it prevented potential embarrassment.

Wandiba further accused Mao of disregarding the rule of law within the party, alleging that internal elections have been marred by irregularities.

“We have seen sham elections organized within the party, and it is not surprising that such irregularities are now being extended to national platforms,” he said.

The group also revisited allegations surrounding the DP presidential elections in Mbarara, claiming there was ballot stuffing and that attempts to challenge the results in court were unsuccessful.

“We all know what happened in Mbarara during the DP presidential elections. Efforts to seek justice in court yielded no results, as the case was dismissed on technicalities,” said Ismail Kirya, former president of the Uganda Young Democrats (UYD).

However, these allegations have not been independently verified.

Innocent Turyahikayo, the DP Chairperson for Bunyoro Region, raised concerns about the impact of current trade order regulations on small-scale traders. He noted that despite Masindi’s size and economic potential, it lacks a modern market to support low-income earners.

“The current trade order regulations are affecting thousands of traders in Masindi and across the country. Many have lost their businesses and livelihoods due to demolitions and enforcement measures, yet there are limited alternatives provided,” Turyahikayo said.

He called on the government to expedite the construction of a modern market in Masindi to support traders.

James Atugonza, a DP supporter, accused Mao of betraying the party’s values and called for his departure. “Mao has sold out the party. He should leave DP and officially join NRM because members are tired of his leadership,” Atugonza alleged.

After the press briefing, the group visited Masindi Central Market, where they distributed aprons to vendors and later held a meeting with DP chairpersons from the Bunyoro sub-region.

Efforts to obtain a comment from Mao were unsuccessful by press time.

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