Democratic Party (DP) President General Norbert Mao has once again sparked debate over his political positioning, stating emphatically that he is not in politics to remain in opposition.
“You find people saying, ‘for you, you are not opposition.’ I don't want to be opposition, I want to be government,” Mao said during a press briefing after securing reelection as party president at the DP delegates’ conference in Mbarara.
He dismissed criticisms over his collaboration with the ruling government, asserting that meaningful political engagement means aiming for power, not protest.
“I have never seen sportsmen fight for silver medal but only gold medal,” he declared.
Mao went further to explain that DP’s success lies in its focus on governance and real influence.
“We won because we were talking about power, not to be opposition,” he said, drawing a clear line between symbolic opposition politics and practical leadership ambitions.
Mao used the platform to call for national unity and political maturity. “This country needs healing. This country needs dialogue,” he said, reiterating DP’s commitment to transformation over populism.
He acknowledged tensions within the party following the elections, but extended an olive branch to those who lost.
“I have ever lost an election and I have ever won an election, so I know how it feels,” he said. Mao also condemned threats aimed at the National Executive Committee leader, especially Kennedy Mutenyu.
Mao discouraged plans to challenge the outcome in court, instead advocating for internal resolution mechanisms.
“To those who believe there were flaws in the process, I encourage we use internal mechanisms,” he urged.
Looking ahead, Mao announced that DP will hold Regional Policy Conferences across Uganda, aimed at unifying leaders and defining the party’s long-term agenda.
Mao’s stance signals a shift in how DP intends to navigate Uganda’s political landscape, less as a traditional opposition player and more as a viable contender for leadership.
