Democratic Party (DP) President-General Norbert Mao has openly declared that he will back President Yoweri Museveni in the upcoming 2026 elections. Speaking on the eve of presidential nominations, Mao said he is “neither ashamed nor afraid” to stand with the ruling NRM candidate.
“This is my personal decision, but the party will also issue its own official statement. As for me, Mao, I will support President Museveni in the next election. I am not ashamed to say it,” he told the Nile Post.
Mao explained that his decision is rooted in political strategy and the cooperation agreement signed between the DP and NRM in 2022. This partnership, he said, has enabled both parties to collaborate on various government programs.
The agreement also saw Mao appointed Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. He revealed that while the current arrangement is under review, new terms will be negotiated after the 2026 elections.
“For the past two to three years, DP has worked hand in hand with the NRM. That engagement is still ongoing, and discussions will continue for the next term of office,” Mao noted.
Although many view this move as the end of his own presidential ambitions, Mao insisted that he still intends to lead Uganda in the future. For now, he said, his focus is on strengthening DP’s grassroots structures to prepare for what he calls a “transitional table” after Museveni.
Responding to critics—including DP parliamentary leader Mathias Mpuuga, who has publicly questioned his cooperation with the NRM—Mao remained resolute. He argued that time would vindicate his choices, adding that some opposition figures are quietly considering similar alignments with Museveni “for the common good.”
DP vice president Fred Mukasa Mbidde confirmed that the party will not field a presidential candidate in 2026, instead channeling its energy and resources into parliamentary and local government contests for greater political returns.
The DP–NRM cooperation agreement, signed in July 2022, covers key areas such as justice, rule of law, peace, security, and economic development. With Mao’s personal endorsement now on record, the DP becomes one of the few opposition parties openly rallying behind Museveni—reshaping the political landscape as Uganda heads toward the 2026 elections.
