Democratic Party (DP) president Norbert Mao has once again ignited controversy in Uganda’s political landscape, this time, not with a campaign promise, but with a sharp jab at the Opposition.
Fresh off his re-election as DP president for a fourth consecutive term, Mao used his inaugural speech to mock opposition politics in Uganda, stating bluntly:
“I really get shocked when I listen to people being proud to be in Opposition. The fact that you’re opposition means that you have been beaten.”
The remarks, delivered at the party headquarters in Kampala, were met with both laughter and murmurs of discomfort from the audience, a mix of DP loyalists, youth wing members, and curious observers from other political camps.
Mao was re-elected during the party’s national delegates conference, where no challenger emerged against the seasoned politician. Despite facing criticism from younger factions within the party, he maintained that his leadership represents continuity, pragmatism, and national dialogue.
“DP is not a party of noise. We believe in solutions, not slogans. I return with renewed energy to restructure and rebrand this party beyond outdated ideological wars,” Mao declared.
Mao’s comments sparked an immediate backlash from both National Unity Platform (NUP) and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) supporters on social media, many calling them tone-deaf, elitist, and a betrayal of Uganda’s multiparty struggle.
Hon. Zaake Francis, a NUP MP, fired back in a post on X (formerly Twitter) saying;
“Being in opposition is not a loss, it is a responsibility. It’s where real accountability begins. That statement reeks of entitlement.”
Observers note that Mao’s controversial partnership with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in 2022, which saw him appointed Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, continues to divide the party and isolate it from long-time Opposition allies.
Despite the friction, Mao remains confident that DP can chart a new path.
“Our mission is not to oppose for the sake of opposing. We want to be in power, yes, but through reason and readiness,” he said.
He called on youth to stop worshiping victimhood and focus on preparing themselves to lead with strategy and intellect.
As Uganda gears up for the 2026 general elections, Mao’s latest remarks have once again underscored the growing identity crisis within Uganda’s traditional opposition.
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