The Democratic Party (DP) has held the first sitting of its 13th National Executive Committee (NEC), officially swearing in members elected in Mbarara earlier this month.
DP chairperson Mayambala Kiwanuka urged the new NEC members to prioritize party interests above personal ambitions.
“The task before us is to ensure our candidates win at different positions,” he said.
Secretary General Gerald Siranda announced that the party has fielded more than 300 candidates for local government elections, describing the move as proof of DP’s renewed grassroots presence.
Party president Norbert Mao used the occasion to assert that DP is positioning itself to compete effectively in the 2026 elections. He cited constituencies such as Isingiro, where he said other opposition parties feared to field candidates.
“There are those who want to laugh at us after the results are announced at local government, but we believe in standing firm,” Mao said.
Mao also praised Deputy President Fred Mukasa Mbidde, who is contesting in the contentious Mubende region.
“That region is very contentious, and that’s where we go,” Mao said, framing the contest as proof of DP’s courage.
The DP leader further highlighted the party’s leadership role in the Interparty Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD), saying it was now in charge of setting the national agenda.
He dismissed critics of his leadership, declaring: “The future of Uganda was in that tent as the transition was being discussed. Those who were out of that tent are irrelevant.”
Mao added that while DP is open to dialogue with other opposition forces such as the National Unity Platform (NUP), personal attacks would not yield results.