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The Minister of Justice, Norbert Mao, says that Uganda’s electoral challenges stem from its political culture, not the Electoral Commission. He emphasized constructive engagement and referenced his surprising alliance with the ruling party.

The Honourable Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, has articulated that the primary challenges encountered in Uganda’s electoral processes do not primarily stem from deficiencies within the Electoral Commission (EC), but rather from prevailing political norms wherein all parties aspire to emerge victorious despite the inherent limitation of only one prevailing candidate.

Mao, concurrently serving as the President of the Democratic Party, delivered these observations on Wednesday, February 7, during the inauguration ceremony of Justice Simon Byabakama as the chairperson of the EC, alongside six other commissioners in Kampala, marking the commencement of their second term.

He emphasized, “The crux of electoral issues largely resides within the prevailing political culture, where the desire for victory permeates all echelons. There exists but a solitary presidential seat in Uganda, and similarly singular opportunities within each constituency. Regrettably, some individuals resort to self-proclamation of presidency due to perceived bias from figures like Justice Byabakama, oblivious to his role merely as a conduit for the populace’s sentiments.”

Mao, a former presidential contender himself, stressed the imperative for fostering constructive discourse, underscoring ongoing initiatives such as the national dialogue aimed at empowering citizens to engage meaningfully, irrespective of electoral outcomes.

Notably, on July 20, 2022, Mao orchestrated a strategic alliance with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), a move that garnered widespread attention. This unprecedented accord heralded a new chapter in Ugandan politics, catapulting Mao, hitherto a vociferous critic of the incumbent regime, into ministerial office the subsequent day. The agreement delineates multifaceted areas of collaboration encompassing justice, law, peace, security, and economic domains.

Additionally, the accord facilitated the elevation of DP secretary-general Gerald Siranda to one of Uganda’s nine representatives within the East African Legislative Assembly, leveraging the numerical strength of the NRM constituency.

The investiture ceremony for the reconstituted EC was conducted at the High Court under the auspices of Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo.

Looking ahead, the forthcoming general elections, scheduled for January 12 and February 9, 2026, with candidate nominations for presidential, parliamentary, and local government positions slated from June to October 2025, epitomize a pivotal juncture in Uganda’s democratic trajectory.