The agreement was signed by President Museveni, the NRM National Chairman, and Norbert Mao, the DP President General, with NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong and DP Secretary General Gerald Siranda serving as witnesses.
The pact was presented as a framework to promote national dialogue, constitutionalism, and cooperative politics. It also committed DP to support the NRM government on key legislation, confidence motions, and major policy initiatives in Parliament during the 2021 to 2026 parliamentary term.
The agreement quickly reshaped Uganda's political landscape. Within a day of its signing, Mao was appointed Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, taking charge of national dialogue and constitutional reform efforts.
Later, Siranda secured election to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) with backing from the NRM parliamentary majority, while DP members also gained opportunities for leadership roles in parliamentary committees and public institutions.
However, the partnership sparked deep divisions within the Democratic Party. Several senior members openly opposed the deal, arguing it had been entered into without the party's full mandate. The agreement was challenged in court on multiple occasions, but in March 2026, the Constitutional Court upheld its legality, ruling that it did not contravene Uganda's Constitution.
Although the original agreement was tied to the 2021 to 2026 parliamentary term, discussions over its future have continued.
While critics within DP maintain the pact has run its course, Mao and the party leadership have argued that cooperation remains an effective way to influence governance and national policy from within government.