By Patriot Corps
Democratic Party (DP) President Norbert Mao, who also serves as the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, has called on Ugandans to unite in urging President Yoweri Museveni and his government to honor the cooperation agreement between the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the DP.
At a press briefing held on Tuesday at the DP headquarters, Mao expressed his frustration over the lack of progress on the terms agreed upon in the July 20, 2022 pact. “I call on Ugandans to join me in putting pressure not only on President Museveni but the entire government so that the issues we put in that agreement are implemented,” he said.
Mao stressed the necessity of collective action, stating, “Government responds to pressure; but instead of adding pressure, you are insulting Mao.” He urged the public to focus on the real issues at hand rather than personal attacks.
The NRM-DP agreement, which saw Mao appointed as Minister of Justice, was intended to foster constitutional reforms and ensure mutual support in governance. However, Mao revealed that the agreement has not been fully honored, prompting his appeal to the public.
Mao also announced his intention to run for the presidency in 2026, as the DP-NRM agreement is set to expire at the end of the current parliamentary term. “In the delegates conference, I will offer myself for the position of president of the party, and in DP, the President of the party is the presidential flag-bearer,” he declared.
He reassured DP members that the cooperation agreement is temporary and cannot be extended unilaterally. “This cooperation agreement is not open-ended. It expires at the end of this term of parliament, and I cannot extend it alone,” Mao emphasized.
The cooperation agreement, signed on July 20, 2022, was a landmark event, with President Museveni expressing his satisfaction with Mao’s decision to collaborate with the NRM. Museveni, reflecting on his own history with the DP, remarked, “You know the history. I keep telling you that DP without Museveni is not a serious group because I was a very active member of DP.”
Despite the initial optimism, the agreement has faced challenges, including a split within the DP over its terms. Mao has since called on former members who left the party due to the agreement to return. “Feel free to return to the party,” he urged.
Mao’s push for constitutional reforms as stipulated in the agreement remains a critical focus. The agreement also included regular meetings between Mao and President Museveni every three months to discuss progress. However, Mao’s recent statements indicate that much of the promised change has yet to materialize.
As Mao prepares for his fourth presidential bid, he remains committed to the principles of the DP and the promises made under the cooperation agreement. “I want to assure DP members that this cooperation agreement is not open-ended. It expires at the end of this term of parliament, and I cannot extend it alone,” he reiterated.
The public’s response to Mao’s call to action will be crucial in determining the future of the NRM-DP cooperation and the broader political landscape in Uganda.