By Ben Musanje
A faction within Uganda’s opposition Democratic Party (DP) has formally protested what it describes as attempts to use the expired DP–NRM Cooperation Agreement to justify continued political integration between the two parties.
In a strongly worded petition addressed to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, members operating under the “DP at Heart” umbrella accused DP President General Norbert Mao of pursuing political engagements with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) without the consent of the party’s grassroots membership and organs.
The group argued that the cooperation agreement between the Democratic Party and the NRM officially expired on May 12, 2026, and can no longer be used as a basis for political negotiations or appointments involving the opposition party.
According to the petition, the dissenting members are particularly concerned about reports that Mao has been positioning himself for consideration as Speaker of Parliament through NRM structures, including the ruling party’s Central Executive Committee and Parliamentary Caucus.
The petitioners further claimed that Mao has allegedly been presenting himself as acting on behalf of the Democratic Party under the now-defunct agreement, despite ongoing disputes surrounding his leadership.
“We note with deep concern that the DP President General, Hon. Norbert Mao, whose leadership is still under legal contestation in courts of law, has been positioning himself for consideration as Speaker of Parliament through NRM party structures,” the statement read in part.
The group stressed that its protest should not be interpreted as opposition to political dialogue or cooperation in principle. Instead, they argued that any future engagement between the Democratic Party and the ruling NRM must first receive approval from legitimate party organs and members.
“Our protest is not against cooperation or dialogue in principle,” the petition stated. “However, we firmly believe that any continued, renewed, or expanded cooperation between DP and NRM must be preceded by genuine consultation and approval through the legitimate organs and membership structures of the Democratic Party.”
The 26 signatories include Vincent De Paul Kayanja of Entebbe, Innocent Turyaahikayo of Masindi, Ismael Kirya of Jinja City and Julius Dumba of Kampala among others accused Mao of undermining internal democracy by allegedly making unilateral decisions concerning the future direction of the party.
“No single individual, regardless of their position, has the authority to unilaterally commit the identity, resources, or political future of the Democratic Party without the express mandate of its members,” the petition added.
In their appeal to President Museveni, who also serves as National Chairman of the NRM, the group requested that he disregard any representations made on behalf of DP based on the expired agreement.
The petitioners also urged the President to refrain from facilitating further political integration or formal engagements with individuals claiming to represent the Democratic Party under the lapsed arrangement.
Among their key demands, the group called on Museveni to respect the institutional independence of the Democratic Party and allow the party’s internal democratic processes to determine its future leadership and political direction.
The statement concluded with a reaffirmation of commitment to multiparty democracy, political pluralism, and the sovereignty of political parties in Uganda.
Political analysts say the latest protest highlights growing divisions within the Democratic Party, Uganda’s oldest political party, over its controversial cooperation pact with the ruling NRM government.
The DP–NRM cooperation agreement, signed in 2022, sparked mixed reactions among party supporters and opposition activists, with critics accusing Mao of drawing the party closer to the ruling establishment at the expense of opposition unity.
Mao later accepted a cabinet appointment as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, a move that deepened tensions within sections of the party and broader opposition circles.
The latest developments are expected to intensify debate over the future direction of the Democratic Party as Uganda’s political landscape begins to shift ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Neither Norbert Mao nor the NRM leadership had officially responded to the petition by press time. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
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Saturday, 23rd May 2026
We, the undersigned members, leaders, and supporters of the Democratic Party (DP) under the DP at Heart umbrella, write to formally register our strong protest against attempts to invoke the now-expired DP-NRM Cooperation Agreement as justification for further political engagement and institutional integration between the two parties.
We note with deep concern that the DP President General,Hon. Norbert Mao whose leadership is still under legal contestation in the courts of law, has been positioning himself for consideration as Speaker of Parliament through NRM party structures, including the Central Executive Committee and the NRM Parliamentary Caucus purporting to be doing this on behalf of Democratic Party and also on the basis of a cooperation agreement that officially expired on 12th May 2026.
Our protest is not against cooperation or dialogue in principle. However, we firmly believe that any continued, renewed, or expanded cooperation between DP and NRM must be preceded by genuine consultation and approval through the legitimate organs and membership structures of the Democratic Party.
No single individual, regardless of their position, has the authority to unilaterally commit the identity, resources, or political future of the Democratic Party without the express mandate of its members. Doing so undermines internal democracy and violates the fundamental principles of political party independence.
What we respectfully request from Your Excellency:
We kindly urge you, as President of the Republic of Uganda and Chairman of the NRM, to:
1. Disregard any representations made on behalf of the Democratic Party that are based on the expired cooperation agreement.
2. Refrain from entertaining or facilitating any further integration or formal engagements with individuals purporting to represent DP under the defunct agreement.
3. Respect the institutional independence of the Democratic Party and allow its internal democratic processes to determine its future leadership and political direction.
We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to multiparty democracy, political pluralism, and the sovereignty of political parties in Uganda.
We thank you for your attention to this matter and look forward to your wise intervention in upholding constitutionalism and democratic norms.
