By Aggrey Baba
Democratic Party (DP) President and Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, has raised alarm over sexual harassment faced by young female politicians within Uganda’s political circles, urging party leaders to take responsibility for ending the exploitation of women seeking party tickets.
Speaking at an event in Kampala earlier this week, Mao said that behind the formal structures of political parties lies a grim reality in which some women seeking political endorsements are subjected to sexual advances and manipulation by influential male figures.
While refraining from naming individuals or political parties, Mao shared a chilling account of a young female aspirant who was allegedly invited to a hotel by a senior political leader under the pretense of mentorship. Instead, she found herself in a compromising and unsafe situation.
He recounted that the woman, expecting professional guidance, was instead lured into a private hotel room, where the man reportedly began undressing and implying that her political aspirations would require her to engage in sexual favors.
When she asked what the honorable intended to do, his response was: “are you not an adult? Don’t you want the ticket?”
According to Mao, the woman resisted the advances, threatening to alert hotel staff by screaming at the very top of her voice, which ultimately deterred the shameless man. Though Mao did not disclose her identity, he praised her courage in defying the assault.
“This is the dark side of politics that many do not want to acknowledge,” Mao said, condemning the culture of silence surrounding such incidents, urging honesty about the power dynamics and abuses that exist within political institutions.
He further noted that the party he leads (DP) has since adopted a sexual harassment policy to safeguard women within its ranks, despite the resistance the move initially received. Mao pointed out that discussions around sexual harassment remain a thorn in the heel for many political actors, with victims often sidelined or intimidated into silence.
Beyond the political realm, Mao spoke about the trend of exploiting women in workplaces and institutions under the guise of advancement opportunities, criticizing scenarios where job promotions or interviews devolve into inappropriate propositions and coercion, coining what he described as a growing “from office to bedroom” culture.
“In some cases, a woman finishes an interview and is told, that you’re very beautiful, but your answers were not strong. Let’s meet privately and see how I can help you,” he noted, highlighting how such predatory language has become normalized.
The country has made progress in legal reforms addressing gender-based violence, with laws in place to tackle sexual offences and workplace harassment, but implementation remains inconsistent, and political spaces are often excluded from the scrutiny applied to other sectors.
Mao’s remarks come at a time when women’s representation in politics is growing but still faces numerous structural and cultural challenges. His candid acknowledgement, while unusual for a sitting minister and party leader, could spark wider debate and policy changes if taken seriously by other political actors.
As Uganda heads into the 2026 general elections, political leaders are now expected to lead by example in upholding ethical standards and creating safe environments for women to participate without fear of exploitation. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
