A fresh political storm is unfolding within the Democratic Party (DP) after the party’s National Vice President, Fred Mukasa Mbidde, accused President General Norbert Mao of abandoning the party’s founding ideals in pursuit of political power, wealth, and personal comfort.
Speaking during a public address, Mbidde said he had strongly supported Mao’s rise to the DP presidency nearly 15 years ago, despite resistance from some party members who, he alleged, opposed Mao on tribal grounds.
“I don’t know what happened to our colleague Mao. He was a gentleman who never believed in the accumulation of wealth. That is why I supported him, even though I am not from Acholi,” Mbidde said.
Mbidde alleged that Mao’s political outlook changed after accepting the position of Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs in President Yoweri Museveni’s government. He claimed the minister has distanced himself from the Democratic Party’s long-standing principles and now looks down on former colleagues.
“I feel ashamed whenever I see people surrounding him during press conferences, praising and clapping for him as he makes what I consider unserious statements. Many of them are jobless because of him, but they are too afraid to tell him the truth—that he betrayed the DP cause,” Mbidde alleged.
He further accused Mao of neglecting party structures across the country at a time when members are mobilising support ahead of upcoming village council elections.
As an example, Mbidde cited the case of a DP supporter identified as Mulindwa from Kiruddu in Makindye Division, whom he claimed was imprisoned on fabricated charges because of his political popularity. According to Mbidde, he petitioned the Electoral Commission, chaired by Justice Simon Byabakama, resulting in Mulindwa being nominated in absentia under what he described as a special arrangement.
Mbidde argued that the incident reflected a lack of concern by the party leadership for ordinary DP members.
“Today, it is difficult to tell whether the Democratic Party is in opposition or in government. As we mobilise support across the country, what are we telling Ugandans to convince them to trust us with power?” he asked.
The outspoken lawyer confirmed that he has begun nationwide consultations and mobilisation ahead of the party’s forthcoming leadership elections, where he intends to challenge Mao for the presidency.
Despite his sharp criticism, Mbidde stressed that his challenge would be conducted through democratic means.
“I will remove him through the ballot and not by any other means,” he said.
Mbidde’s remarks come amid growing criticism of Mao from other political figures.
Former State House Head of the Political Intelligence Desk Charles Rwomushana has also publicly called on Mao to resign as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
Rwomushana argued that Mao, a lawyer and long-time human rights advocate, should not continue overseeing the justice sector while suspects are, according to him, being kept on remand after being denied mandatory bail.
“Mao, a highly trained lawyer and human rights activist, cannot supervise a judiciary where judges and magistrates continue keeping people on remand by denying mandatory bail. Judicial officers are remanding suspects who are presented before them after being tortured, yet this violates the Constitution that I helped make,” Rwomushana claimed.
He further alleged that Mao has become “a washing machine” for actions allegedly committed by security agencies against Ugandans.
Rwomushana also referred to remarks attributed to Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho (Salim Saleh), who reportedly advised Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba to brief Mao on intelligence matters related to the prosecution of opposition figures, including Dr. Kizza Besigye, Hajj Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, and former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago.
According to Rwomushana, Mao’s resignation would help counter what he described as growing public perception that the ministerial appointment was motivated by financial and personal interests.
Despite the criticism, Mao has recently dismissed his detractors, urging them to leave him alone and reminding them that they have witnessed the evolution of his political journey.
His comments come as divisions within the Democratic Party continue to deepen ahead of internal elections that are expected to shape the party’s future leadership and political direction.
TV10 has not independently verified several of the allegations made by Mbidde and Rwomushana. Norbert Mao has publicly rejected criticism from his opponents but had not issued a specific response to the allegations detailed in this report at the time of publication.
