2026: DP targets more seats as Omoro defectors swell ranks

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The Democratic Party (DP) is aiming for greater political representation in the forthcoming 2026 general elections as 152 new leaders from Omoro district joined its ranks after defecting from rival political parties FDC, NRM, NUP, UPC and JEEMA.

The new members were officially welcomed during a ceremony held on May 24, 2025, in Opit, Omoro town council, by DP president general Norbert Mao, amid excitement and ululation from a crowd gathered to witness the growing wave of support.

Mao urged the new members to promote and uphold the party’s values of truth and justice, which he said are central to DP’s mission of raising future leaders.

He emphasised that DP is unlike any other political party, describing it as original and firmly rooted in its mission.

“You, the new converts, don’t trust me and the rest of the party leaders, but trust the party foundation, which stands on truth and justice,” he said.

Mao thanked the defectors for their bold decision to join DP and criticised other political parties, accusing them of misleading Ugandans due to a lack of clear agendas.

He urged DP leaders to boldly address community concerns, saying the public deserves quality service and development from its leaders.

“I asked the party structure leaders from the grassroots level up to the national level to work very hard to see that DP send many leaders to councils and parliament so that they have good representation,” he added.

Similarly, Peter Okot, the Member of Parliament for Tochi County in Omoro district, said the party must not forget its founders and should preserve their legacy.

He encouraged party leaders and members to remain steadfast in their efforts to achieve DP’s goals and to avoid discrimination within the party.

“As a party, we are looking at taking all the big positions in the next general election because the DP is speaking one language of unity, not like other political parties, which are causing a lot of chaos,” he said.

Okot also warned against sabotaging the new converts, instead calling for collaboration and inclusivity within the party.

Justine Simpleman Obol, a member of DP’s national executive committee representing the Acholi sub-region, urged delegates to vote for Norbert Mao as the party’s president general during the upcoming elections on May 30, 2025, in Mbarara.

He called on party members to work hard to ensure that the Acholi sub-region is fully represented under the green and white colours of the DP.

“I don’t want to hear that DP leaders in Omoro have torn apart but unite to work as a team because our mission as the party is unity, and that is why we stand on truth and justice,” he said.

Obol encouraged the new converts to seek guidance from senior party members and warned that DP does not tolerate defiance and protest, but rather stands for peace and development.

Ben Acellam Kizito, the newly elected DP district chairman, called on the party president to open offices in Omoro County and Tochi County to facilitate mobilisation ahead of the next general election.

He said the defectors are vibrant leaders who will not let the party down and expressed confidence that they will recruit more members into the DP.

Rose Nyapolo, the councillor for Koro subcounty in Omoro district, who defected from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), praised DP for its warm reception and pledged to work hard to advance the party’s agenda.

Nyapolo urged members of other political parties to join DP, citing its commitment to truth and justice, unlike other parties, which, she said, lack clear direction.