DP Rivals Mao and Sebamala Share Public Handshake as Oldest Party Shows Signs of Internal Calm

In a notable display of political maturity, Democratic Party President General Norbert Mao and Bukoto Central MP Hon. Richard Sebamala were seen publicly shaking hands and exchanging warm embraces at a recent DP event, signaling a deliberate effort to lower temperatures within Uganda’s oldest political party.

The encounter, captured on video and shared from Sebamala’s official channels, showed the two men walking side by side on the grounds of a DP gathering marked by green-and-white party colours, tents, and the DP flag. Sebamala, introduced at the function as the only surviving DP Member of Parliament in the entire Buganda region, appeared composed and in good spirits as he interacted with Mao. The two were observed greeting each other cordially, with the interaction described by those present as one of mutual respect rather than the open tension that has characterised their relationship in recent years.

The gesture comes against the backdrop of wider national reconciliation discussions and at a time when DP is seeking to stabilise after a bruising internal contest ahead of the 2025 National Delegates Conference. Sebamala, who had openly challenged Mao’s continued leadership and criticised the party’s cooperation agreement with the ruling National Resistance Movement, has consistently framed his interventions around the need to restore DP’s historical identity of “Truth and Justice.” Observers note that his decision to appear publicly alongside Mao without rancour reflects a statesmanlike posture—one that prioritises the survival and cohesion of the party over personal political rivalry.

Sebamala’s political rise has been marked by both achievement and principle. He first entered Parliament in 2021 after unseating long-serving former Vice President Edward Ssekandi in Bukoto Central, and he successfully retained the seat in the 2026 elections. Throughout, he has maintained an active presence both in the House and at the grassroots, while remaining one of the most visible DP voices on issues of internal democracy and party independence. His ability to emerge from the recent leadership contest as the sole DP legislator in Buganda has further elevated his profile as a figure who combines grassroots legitimacy with a measured approach to national politics.

Political analysts following DP’s internal dynamics describe the public handshake as more than a photo opportunity. In a party that has seen significant attrition of MPs and influence in recent electoral cycles, such displays of camaraderie help reassure members and supporters that personal differences need not prevent collective engagement. Sebamala’s calm demeanour at the event—smiling, engaging, and walking in step with the party president—has been interpreted by supporters as evidence of a leader who understands the long game: rebuilding institutions requires both firmness on principle and the discipline to keep channels open.

Mao, who continues to serve as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs while retaining the DP presidency, has previously defended the party’s engagement with government as pragmatic. The visible ease between the two men at the recent function suggests that, whatever differences remain on strategy and direction, both recognise the value of presenting a united front at public DP platforms.

Mr Sebamala told Watchdog Uganda that although he wants to stand against Minister Mao’s boss or whoever the NRM will front, he believes that can be achieved without running over Mao or breaking the DP.

“I believe DP is greater than the differences between me and Mao. Besides, there is a lot to learn from him before I take over and contest with his boss,” he said.

For Sebamala, the moment reinforces the image he has cultivated of a serious, development-oriented legislator who is equally at home in constituency service and national party conversations. As Uganda’s political calendar continues, his willingness to extend a public hand of comradeship while remaining rooted in DP structures positions him as one of the more statesmanlike figures navigating the complex space between opposition identity and institutional continuity.

Whether the handshake marks a lasting reduction in tensions or a tactical pause remains to be seen. What is clear from the footage and the atmosphere at the event is that Hon. Richard Sebamala chose to project maturity and party loyalty over continued public confrontation—an approach that many within DP circles are already describing as the mark of a leader thinking beyond the next internal contest.

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