The Democratic Party (DP) has unveiled a bold new direction ahead of the 2026 general elections, announcing that it will sit out the presidential race and instead focus its energy on strengthening its performance in parliament and local government.
The decision, reached during a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Kampala on September 19, 2025, signals a calculated pivot away from decades of costly but fruitless presidential attempts.
Fred Mukasa Mbidde, DP Vice President, who spearheaded the motion, said the move reflects hard electoral truths. “This is not surrender. It is strategy. We are investing where Ugandans trust us most—at the grassroots and in Parliament,” he explained.
The resolution was strongly backed by regional representatives and senior party figures, with DP leaders emphasizing that the future lies in expanding legislative influence rather than chasing an elusive presidential victory.
Why DP is Recalibrating
DP’s leadership outlined several pillars behind the shift:
- Practical use of resources: Presidential campaigns drain party coffers but rarely deliver results.
- Building stronger local roots: Concentrating on councils and constituencies allows DP to directly influence health, education, and infrastructure issues.
- Preserving unity: Avoiding the presidential ballot prevents internal rifts and the fragmentation of opposition support.
- Working within cooperation frameworks: Leveraging the NRM–DP Cooperation Agreement as a platform for reforms and dialogue.
- Inclusivity and renewal: Providing more room for young leaders, women, and marginalized groups to rise through competitive positions.
Recall that in July 2022, the National Resistance Movement-NRM party signed a working cooperation agreement with the Democratic Party-DP at State House, Entebbe.
President Yoweri Museveni, also the National chairman of NRM signed on behalf of the party, while Nobert Mao, signed on behalf of DP which he leads as President General. The corporation could later see Mao appointed on Museveni’s cabinet as the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
