Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao is facing accusations of tampering with the Democratic Party (DP) register ahead of a delegates conference to vote the party president and flag bearer in the 2026 general elections. Mao has also had to explain his relationship with Gen Salim Saleh, a young brother to President Yoweri Museveni.
There were chaotic scenes at the offices of the DP along Balintuma Road in the Ugandan capital Kampala after members alleged that Norbert Mao, their current party president their president, had tampered with the register to either illegally add or remove names from the list of those expected to attend the DP delegates conference in Mbarara on May 30, 2025.
According to the complaining DP members, most of the supporters of Bukoto Central MP Richard Sebamala (the politician who ousted former vice president Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi in 2021) were deleted from the register as a way of reportedly giving Mao electoral advantage.
There were also concerns over the delayed issuance of invitation cards, with members claiming the Mao administration was planning to use such delays to disenfranchise those thought to be supportive of Sebamala.
Some party members also raised concerns on role of Gen Salim Saleh (Caleb Akandwanaho), who heads Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), in the DP affairs, including elections.
Mityana South MP Richard Lumu alleged that Mao and other DP leaders met Gen Saleh to beg funds for hold the party’s delegates conference.
Mao has explained his relationship with Salim Saleh saying it dates back to 1996 when Museveni’s brother saved him from being rigged out in an election in Gulu.
He said that some leaders, some from Northern Uganda, including a member of the Democratic Party National Executive Committee (NEC) and a veteran, approached him to help them gain from government development programs. To be able to benefit, there was a proposal to meet Salim Saleh.
The DP boss and Museveni minister also admitted that his relationship with Gen Salim Saleh has grown since 1996 has continued to grow, with the ‘oracle of Gulu’ even serving as the Vice President of the Salim Saleh Foundation for Humanity from 1997 until today.
Norbert Mao joined Museveni’s government in 2022 and became a minister. He claimed that he had agreed with Museveni on how and when to peacefully hand over power – only for Museveni to trash his claims, as reported Here and There.
On the other hand, Gen Salim Saleh is one of the most powerful, fearless and influential members of the Museveni family and government, who a previous end Museveni’s rule if he wanted. (See Details Here, There and Over There).
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