The Democratic Party (DP) is reassessing its political direction following one of its weakest performances in the 2026 parliamentary elections, after securing only six seats nationwide, fewer than it won in the previous polls.
The outcome has reignited debate about the party’s national appeal, particularly after five of the six elected DP Members of Parliament emerged from the Acholi sub-region. The only seat won outside the north was Bukoto Central in Buganda, where Engineer Ssebamala was elected.
More than 100 DP flag bearers contested across the country, but only six made it to Parliament, a result that has unsettled party supporters and highlighted the party’s declining fortunes in its traditional strongholds, especially in central Uganda.
DP chairman Kiwanuka Mayambala said the results reflected voter dissatisfaction linked to the party’s recent internal challenges.
“Ultimately, it is the voters who rejected us, and this is largely due to the struggles the party has gone through in recent years,” Mayambala said.
However, DP vice president Fred Mukasa Mbidde attributed the poor showing to prolonged internal divisions and what he described as a hostile political environment, particularly in Buganda.
“Our structures were weakened by prolonged internal wrangles and a hostile political environment, particularly in Buganda, which divided our supporters and affected mobilisation,” Mbidde said.
Despite offering different explanations, both leaders acknowledged that internal conflicts significantly undermined the party’s grassroots mobilisation during the campaigns.
Mayambala said the party was nevertheless encouraged by its performance outside Buganda, arguing that the results challenge claims that DP is politically finished.
“Winning seats beyond Buganda shows that DP still has a national presence and has not been confined to one region,” he said.
Party leaders also rejected assertions that DP’s cooperation agreement with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) damaged its credibility, saying the focus now is on rebuilding support across the country.
“We are focused on reorganising and rebuilding the party across the country,” Mbidde said.
Political analyst and lawyer Erias Tumwebaze said DP president general Nobert Mao played a decisive role in keeping the party represented in Parliament.
“Without Mao’s influence, the Democratic Party could easily have been wiped out completely,” Tumwebaze said.
He added that the rise of the National Unity Platform (NUP) has significantly eroded DP’s traditional support base, particularly in Buganda.
“NUP has taken over much of DP’s former support in Buganda. If DP is to regain its footing, it must reconnect with voters and rebuild trust at the grassroots,” Tumwebaze said.
As debate continues over the party’s future, analysts say meaningful reforms in leadership, strategy and internal cohesion may be unavoidable, especially as DP’s continued cooperation with the NRM remains under public scrutiny.