By Andrew Irumba Katusabe [Sankara]
In what is shaping up to be a political storm within Uganda’s oldest party, Democratic Party (DP) President General Norbert Mao and Secretary General Gerald Siranda are under intense scrutiny following allegations of a covert plan to ring-fence the party’s top leadership positions by drastically hiking nomination fees — a move critics say is aimed at sidelining young, ambitious challengers.
Highly placed sources within the party have disclosed that the Mao-Siranda duo is allegedly pushing for a controversial proposal that would see nomination fees for the party’s presidency skyrocket from UGX 5 million to a staggering UGX 50 million. The Secretary General’s post, formerly contested at UGX 3 million, would now require UGX 25 million, while aspirants for other national positions — including MPs — would be expected to cough up UGX 5 million.
The internal memo, which has since sparked outrage among grassroots mobilizers and youthful aspirants, was reportedly discussed in a closed-door strategy session. Party insiders claim the move is designed to entrench the current leadership by financially locking out potential challengers, many of whom are young, unemployed, and lack access to such large sums.
“These figures are not just outrageous — they’re a deliberate gatekeeping mechanism,” said a source who attended the meeting. “No ordinary DP youth can raise UGX 50 million in this economy. It’s elitism disguised as party reform.”
Those likely to be affected include prominent Mao critics and potential 2026 challengers such as Buikwe South MP Dr. Bayiga Lulume, MP Richard Lumu and Fred Mikasa Mbidde, two of whom have openly hinted at contesting for the top seat.
Mao Confirms Looming Changes but Denies Figures
President Mao, in his usual real Mao, when contacted by our Chief Spy Andrew Irumba, he confirmed there will be changes to the figures as one of the means to support the party activities but denied the figures being thrown at him. When asked whether this was true he answered thus;
Irumba: My elder brother from another mother, how are you! (by the way many people say we resemble, my father left 104 children, you could be the 105th)
Mao: I actually think it’s my father instead who left a son in Tooro!
Irumba: Laughs😂🤣. Now, is it true, you’re increasing nomination fees in order to ring fence your position and SG Siranda?
Mao:That is a figment of some people’s imagination. There are two sets of fees. Those for contestants for leadership organs of the party and those for national offices like President of Uganda, MPs and Local Government.
Irumba:But are you planning to increase fees?
Mao: Yes, there will be a revision but they will be modest. Aim is to raise some funds to support the work of our Election Management Committee.
Irumba:How much are you looking at? Because my sources claim you’re proposing shs50m for President General and shs25 for SG.
Mao:
DP’s principles cannot allow prohibitive nomination fees. Have those you’re talking to shared the previous fees? You need a baseline to judge. Mine is to assure everyone that DP cannot charge outrageous fees for party positions.
Our sources on Sunday night claimed the new charges were, UGX 50m for DP President and National Vice Chairman, UGX 25m for SG, and UGX 5m for other elective positions like MPs.
With the 2026 general elections inching closer, the DP finds itself at a crossroads: modernize and democratize, or risk a slow implosion triggered by internal disenfranchisement and elitism at the helm.
#DPLeadershipCrisis #Uganda2026 #NominationGate
