By Spy Uganda
In a dramatic shift in Uganda’s political landscape, the Democratic Party (DP) has taken decisive steps to end its cooperation agreement with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), a move that will see its leader, Norbert Mao, resign from his ministerial position.
During a National Council meeting held in Soroti, DP leaders passed two key motions that signal a turning point in the party’s alliance with NRM. The first, introduced by DP Vice President Hon. Dr. Fred Mukasa Mbidde, called for the immediate initiation of proceedings to terminate the agreement, citing concerns over its effectiveness and the party’s long-term interests.
However, in a bid to allow for a structured transition, DP President General Norbert Mao proposed a one-month deferment of the termination process. The extension is aimed at facilitating a thorough internal review of the party’s involvement in the agreement. As part of this evaluation, the DP has scheduled a consultative meeting on April 6, 2025, to discuss the findings and determine the party’s future course.
To ensure an inclusive assessment, the party has also formed an evaluation committee that will oversee the self-assessment process, ensuring that all voices within the DP are heard.
A particularly striking development from the meeting was Mao’s declaration that he will step down as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs once the termination process is finalized. His planned resignation underscores the gravity of DP’s decision and the leadership’s commitment to realigning the party’s strategy away from its association with NRM.
Mao’s appointment to the cabinet in 2022, following the signing of the cooperation agreement, was a controversial development that divided opinion both within the DP and among opposition figures in Uganda. His resignation would mark the end of a political chapter that saw the DP working alongside President Museveni’s government in an arrangement that was met with skepticism by sections of the opposition.
The developments in Soroti suggest a renewed focus by the Democratic Party on its independent political identity. As the April 6 consultative meeting approaches, all eyes will be on DP’s next move and how this decision will reshape Uganda’s political dynamics ahead of the next general elections.
For now, Mao’s looming resignation stands as a powerful statement, one that signals DP’s readiness to forge a new path—one without the shadow of its controversial agreement with NRM.
