A pressure group within the Democratic Party has raised alarm over plans by party president Norbert Mao to attend a retreat of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), warning that the move could undermine the party’s independence.
In a statement issued on April 7, 2026, DP at Heart said it had formally notified President Museveni in his capacity as both head of state and NRM chairman of what it described as a “grave constitutional and political concern.”
The group said it had received reports indicating that Mao sought to engage NRM leadership with the intention of participating in the ruling party’s caucus, an internal decision-making forum.
“The NRM caucus is an internal partisan organ of the ruling party, not a national platform for opposition participation,” the statement reads. “Any attempt by the DP leader to seek entry into this forum is irregular, unacceptable, and a direct affront to the independence of our Party.”
DP at Heart stressed that Mao does not have the mandate of party members, delegates, or stakeholders to take part in the internal structures of another political organization, describing any such engagement as “personal and unilateral.”
“Hon. Norbert Mao has no mandate from the members, delegates, or stakeholders of the Democratic Party to engage in or participate in the internal structures of the NRM,” the group said.
The statement further clarified that if Mao proceeds to attend the NRM retreat , he should be regarded as acting in his individual capacity and not as leader of the party.
“If Hon. Norbert Mao is attending the NRM caucus, he is not attending on behalf of the Democratic Party but on his own behalf,” it added.
The pressure group also rejected any suggestion of political alignment between the Democratic Party and the ruling NRM, emphasizing that the party remains independent.
“The Democratic Party is not available for absorption, alignment, or informal integration into the NRM machinery,” the statement said.
It called for transparency in inter-party engagements, warning against informal arrangements that could erode public trust.
“Any engagement between political parties must occur through transparent and formal channels, not personal arrangements that undermine public trust,” the group stated.
Reaffirming its position, DP at Heart declared that the independence of the Democratic Party is “non-negotiable” and vowed to resist any attempts to draw it into the internal processes of the ruling party.
The group also urged party members, delegates, and supporters to remain vigilant and united in defence of the party’s founding values, stressing that the Democratic Party “belongs to its members, not to individuals or external interests.”
Mao confirmed on Monday that he will participate in the upcoming Leaders’ Retreat organized for NRM parliamentary caucuses.
Mao said he would attend the retreat scheduled from April 7 to April 15 at the National Leadership Institute.
“I confirm that I’ll be participating in the Leaders’ Retreat for the NRM Parliamentary Caucuses from 7th–15th April, 2026 at NALI, Kyankwanzi District. I thank our Sister Party @NRMOnline for the kind invitation,” Mao said.
Invitations to opposition leaders are unusual in Uganda’s often polarized political environment and could signal efforts to foster cross-party dialogue.
Ahead of the retreat, Members of Parliament from the NRM and allied legislators gathered at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds for verification, accreditation, and COVID-19 testing.
The retreat, a longstanding NRM tradition held in Kyankwanzi District, is designed to orient MPs for their roles in the 12th Parliament and align party leadership on policy direction and legislative priorities, with an emphasis on transforming Uganda into a higher middle-income society.
