Make no mistake-this is not a story about principled dissent. This is a story about sore losers who, having failed to win democratic elections in Mbarara where DP held its National Delegates Conference (NDC) in May 2025. Party delegates cast their votes. Results were tallied. Winners emerged for National Executive Committee (NEC). Losers were identified. But for the individuals who would later rebrand themselves as ‘DP at Heart,’ this democratic outcome was unacceptable, yet voters chose differently. They have decided that if they cannot lead the Democratic Party (DP), they will tear it apart by choosing antagonism over patriotism, rebellion over reflection, personal vendetta over principled engagement.
In the process, they are potentially nose-diving their own political careers into oblivion just like their known predecessors. Worse still, they have become willing tools in a larger game being played by external forces that care nothing for DP’s future and everything about stopping Hon. Norbert Mao’s rise to the Rt.Hon. Speaker of Ugandan Parliament.
The Court Verdict: Truth Over Theatrics
They went to court, argued and laid down their prayers. The Ugandan court examined their allegations and the verdict? No irregularities found, no basis to nullify the NEC results. Court offered them wise counsel to pursue internal conflict resolution mechanisms. Having lost at the ballot box and in the courtroom, they rebranded as “DP at Heart” disguised as reformers, yet choosing a different path of public warfare, social media antagonism, and deliberate party sabotage.
The Money Trail: Who’s Funding This Deception?
Custom-branded T-shirts, Cooking aprons handed out in Masindi market , social media campaigns with coordinated messaging of regional “consultations” involving travel, accommodations, logistics with media coverage. Where is the money coming from? The timing provides the answer. This campaign of division and delegitimization has intensified precisely as the race for Speaker of Parliament has heated up with DP President Norbert Mao as the most serious contender as confirmed by President Museveni’s elite Bazzakullu voters from different online media spaces; twitter to Tik-Tok, facebook, etc. that put DP’s MAO far ahead of NRM’s Anita Among.
If they are truly DP at heart, why not endorse a DP candidate for Speaker?
This is therefore, not coincidence but rather political warfare by proxy. The “DP at Heart” group has become tools in someone else’s game. It’s a vanity project fueled by bruised egos and allegedly bankrolled by shadowy interests.
Who Benefits from DP Chaos?
Those opposed to Mao’s Speakership bid. A strong, united DP backing Mao is a threat. A fractured DP consumed by internal conflict is a gift to his opponents. The Political Career: How ‘DP at Heart’ is risking into oblivion. The tragic irony in their quest to delegitimise DP leadership is that, he “DP at Heart” faction is actually destroying their own political futures. Political careers are built on trust, credibility, and demonstrated ability not deception and theatrics.
Historically, the following DP members nosedived their careers from antagonism to near oblivion; The “rebel” UYD Conference and election at Ssebo Green in Kampala in 2013. National Chairman- Sulaiman Kidandala, Deputy National Chairperson- Angella Aselle, Brenda Nabukenya -President, National Vice President- Okidi Christopher, Vice President- Western – Ayebazibwe Ritah Vice President- Northern- Onzima Eric Vice President- Central – Robert Mugambwa Vice President Eastern- Muhwezi Ambitious Secretary General – Wasswa Charles Rugumayo Deputy Secretary General – Kizito Johnson Nsubuga Finance Secretary – Kabuye Francis Deputy Finance Secretary – Nambooze Blessed Sanny, Organizing Secretary – Ssewiino Lawrence, Deputy Organising Secretary – Mugonza Andrew, Publicity Secretary – Kata Ivan Timothy, Deputy Publicity Secretary – Katuramu Patrick,International Secretary – Muyizzi Samuel, Deputy Int. Secretary – Nakyobe Sylvia, Secretary for Social Welfare – Kawalya Swaibu,Deputy Social W/fare – Ssambwa Timothy, National Women Leader – Amony Francesca, Dep. Wom. Leader – Nalumansi Faridah, Regional Representatives; Kalibbala Ashraph, Ndugga Jamil, Ssekayiba Fred, Sinama Simon Peter, Koile Ali, Onzima Collins.
Victims of antagonism against DP 2025/2026 and previous elections
Opoka Simon left DP in 2025 for UPC, lost both elections of 2021 and 2026. Lumu Richard, MP, left DP in 2025 and lost as Independent in 2026 in Mityana. Dr. Bayiga Lulume, left DP for PFF, lost 2025 PG in Mbarara and MP elections in Buikwe in 2026. Aisha Waligo, DP Women leader, left DP for NUP in 2024, painfully denied MP ticket for Kalungu. Woman MP Sulaiman Kidandala, left DP for NUP in 2020, painfully denied NUP ticket for MP Charles Ggalla, left DP for NUP, relegated from MPto Councillor, lost elections. Ms.Olive Kigongo, left DP for NUP,relegated from MP to Councillor3, lost elections in 2026. Nakuya Aidah, left DP for NUP on loosing NEC slot, denied ticket in 2025 Mps Mpuuga, Medard Ssegona, Muwanga Kivumbi , Sam LUBEGA Mukaku, Michael Mabikke, all left DP but elections from their parties. Christine Namuyunga, left DP for NUP for Lwengo MP, lost elections in 2026. Mwaka Lutukumoi, left DP for NRM as Asst.RDC,later failed MP elections in 2021 in Gulu EastSo, will ‘DP at heart’ faction members; Kiirya Ismail, Ochaki Alex, Dumba Julius, Mpunge Michael, Wadhimba Anthony, Turikayo Innocent, Gilbert Amado catalyzed by Ssalongo Wanzala, Isabirye, etc. survive becoming victims of nose-diving political careers like majority of their known predecessors named above?
The Real Endgame: Political Oblivion
Whether they succeed or fail in deligitimising DP leadership, the “DP at Heart” faction and other think-alike NEC members like NVP Mbidde Mukasa and SG Siranda G. Blacks are co-signing themselves to political oblivion. No serious political party will trust them. If they can betray DP, the party they claim to love, what wouldn’t they do inside another party?
The Contrast: Antagonism vs. Patriotism in DP
The Path of Patriotism with DP NEC leadership headed by PG Mao is;Build or support cooperation, alliance, coalitions where possible, persuade colleagues in issues of national interest like National dialogues, election reforms, national reconciliation and peaceful presidential transitionRespect judicial decisions, even when they’re unfavorable after elections. Recognise that temporary defeat can lead to future victory if you remain credible
The choice is yours. The best path is hard work. It requires humility, patience, and genuine commitment to something-a DP larger than yourself.
Ben Kiwanuka, What Would he Do?
In 1961, Benedicto Kiwanuka became Uganda’s first Chief/Prime Minister, leading Uganda toward self-government from the British colonisers. He was a DP man who understood that leadership requires sacrifice for greater good. When political fortunes shifted against him,he lost the Prime Ministership to Milton Obote’s UPC coalition, but did he; Reject the outcome as illegitimate? Accept foreign funding to destabilize the government? Prioritize personal revenge over national interest? No! Today, what would Ben Kiwanuka really tell ‘‘DP at heart’’ group? He would say that they choose patriotism over antagonism.
A warning from History: The Cost of Division
The original DP split in the 1960s over questions of Buganda autonomy and national unity. That division weakened the party at a critical moment. UPC under Akena and Amb. Olara Otunnu and other leaders had court issues that weakened the party’s standing.2025 NRM primary elections, The 2016 Mbabazi wave under TDA had negative impacts on NRM strength. The FDC split to ANT and further to PFF with accusations of leaders accepting ‘dirty money’ from President Museveni lead to defections with impact of a weakened party.
The ‘DP at heart’ are in the same DP boat and the voyage is long, even if they have hidden life jackets, they should not sink the boat because they won’t reach the destination, too.
Conclusion
The Democratic Party (DP) stands at a critical juncture with a looming political transition. We refuse to let antagonism triumph over patriotism. The legacy of Ben Kiwanuka, a man who led Uganda to self-government and gave his life for democratic principles should inspire us to be better than this moment’s divisions. Abraham Lincoln warned, ‘a house divided against itself can’t stand’. In the spirit of the parable of the lost sheep, DP NEC leadership is desirous of recovering strayed sheep to come back to the fold.
By Tuku-Neko Ogena Bese, Civil & Environmental Engineer, PRINCE2® Agile, LEED AP BD+C, LEED AP O+M, MBA | DP National Executive Committee (NEC) Member | National Secretary for Workers & Entrepreneurs. Email: tuku.neko.ob@gmail.com Introduction.
