
“1. *The Democratic Party hereby disassociates itself* from the content and letter of the said cooperation agreement.
2. *We pledge to champion dialogue and cooperation* involving all political players and entities in Uganda, with the aim of promoting the common good, addressing matters of national interest, and upholding the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. This should be through a well structured arrangement.
3. *We reaffirm our commitment* to the principles of social justice, equality, and human rights, and to the promotion of the interests of the marginalized and oppressed.
Therefore, let it be resolved that the agreement signed on 20th July 2022 hereinafter referred to as the Co-operation Agreement is henseforth terminated by the National Council sitting at Soroti, this 7th day of March, 2025.
Moved by; Deogratious Kiyingi Gonzaga – Deputy National Treasurer” (Resolution of the National Council of the Democratic Party, 07.03.2025).
This has been a slow train coming, there been Members of Parliament who wanted the Cooperation Agreement gone with the National Resistance Movement (NRM). The Democratic Party has fallen over this and become more weaker. As there is no trust in its agency or its mission either. The fallout of MPs and the MPs decisions to pick other parties has been rampant of late. Therefore, the value of DP has fallen and significantly so.
Yesterday’s act and review of the Cooperation Agreement between the DP and NRM is just telling. That the DP is done and dusted. This is just telling that Norbert Mao and Dr. Gerald Sirinda sold the party short for personal gains. Mao became Minister and Sirinda became a EALA MP. That is beneficial for them both and was an easy trade for them.
Is this a short-lived “No Surprises” agreement that just happens to be finalized and closed ahead of the 2026 General Elections?
We know the likes of Richard Lumu MP didn’t want this to begin with and he fought from the sidelines. He also seconded the resolution that is in question. It just shows how the party operates and how slow the leadership acts on the others participation. As we know how they called Mao into question and even how he accepted the agreement without prior knowledge of the rest of the party. That was the trade-off for a Ministerial Post and EALA MP slot.
Norbert Mao is tainted and so is the party. They cannot revise the history now. We have seen how Mao talked about a transition and a need for change, but he started to work for the President directly. There been no change in the Judiciary and neither has there been any reforms to speak off. No, Mao has delivered no punches or no surprises as Minister. President Museveni must be happy for this cheap bounty.
This seems like an easy gambit ahead of the 2026 polls. A way of deferring from the NRM and become Opposition just ahead of the General Election. That’s what it looks like and maybe the DP will join the Holy Alliance or whatnot. Because, what else does the party have?
Not like Mao has a voice of reason or is a likeable fella. No, Mao has sold it off and leased its future. Unless, he entrusts someone else with Party Presidency and retires from office too. That’s what is needed to revive this party and build from the ground up. Now the party is known for being like a mango. Green on the outside, but yellow on the inside. That’s not a good look, but the fate that befell it.
If there is time for surprises or revival… that is another matter. Peace.










