Successful coalitions are built on clear policy objectives, mutual respect, institutional safeguards, and a willingness to compromise without losing core identity. They require political maturity: strong internal democracy, ideological clarity, and pragmatic leadership.
SLOGANS OF UNITY, POLITICS OF DIVISION: WHY COALITIONS MATTER NOW
By Byayesu Agrippa Musinguzi,
(Teacher, Legal Scholar and a young Democrat)
20th/04/2026
In modern politics, no single party can govern effectively in isolation. From Germany’s long-standing grand coalitions to Kenya’s broad-based alliances, fragmented electorates and diverse societies have made negotiation, compromise, and strategic partnerships not only necessary but essential.
As Nelson Mandela wisely observed, “We were expected to destroy one another and ourselves collectively in the worst racial conflagration. Instead, we as a people chose the path of negotiation, compromise and peaceful settlement. Instead of hatred and revenge we chose reconciliation and nation-building.” Coalition politics has evolved from being perceived as a sign of weakness into a pragmatic and realistic pathway to stability and effective governance in pluralistic nations.
In Uganda, an important question arises: are our political parties institutionally and ideologically mature enough to navigate this modern political reality? The spotlight naturally falls on the Democratic Party (DP)—Uganda’s oldest political party—and its landmark 2022 cooperation agreement with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). Signed in July 2022 by DP President General Norbert Mao and President Yoweri Museveni, the pact saw DP commit to supporting key aspects of the government’s governance agenda, including parliamentary matters of confidence and supply. In return, Norbert Mao was appointed Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
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The agreement, which was upheld by the Constitutional Court in March 2026 as constitutionally valid, has sparked vigorous national debate. Critics have described it as a betrayal of opposition principles, while supporters view it as a bold and pragmatic step toward constructive engagement. As the pact approaches its expiry on 12 May 2026—with Mao expressing interest in renewal and some DP members raising concerns over unfulfilled commitments—this is an opportune moment for thoughtful reflection.
The Rise of Coalition Politics Globally
Across the world, the era of single-party dominance is increasingly giving way to coalition arrangements. Germany’s political system has long depended on coalitions for stability; its 2025 federal election once again resulted in a grand coalition between the CDU/CSU and SPD. Similar “traffic light coalitions” (CDU-SPD-Greens) have emerged at both state and federal levels to manage political fragmentation and address pressing economic and security challenges. In Kenya, opposition alliances such as NASA and Azimio, as well as President William Ruto’s broad-based government that incorporated figures from the Orange Democratic Movement, demonstrate how coalitions can bridge ethnic and regional divides in highly diverse societies.
Successful coalitions are built on clear policy objectives, mutual respect, institutional safeguards, and a willingness to compromise without losing core identity. They require political maturity: strong internal democracy, ideological clarity, and pragmatic leadership.
The Ugandan Political Context
Uganda’s political history underscores the high cost of division and confrontation. Political parties first emerged in the late colonial period as vehicles for representation and the push toward independence. The Democratic Party, founded on 6 October 1954 at Rubaga, established itself as a nationalist, constitutionalist movement committed to social justice and non-sectarian democracy. Under the leadership of Benedicto Kiwanuka, who assumed the party presidency in 1958 and became Uganda’s first Prime Minister in 1961, DP championed inclusive governance even as religious and ethnic tensions tested the young nation.
The 1995 Constitution restored multiparty politics following the 2005 referendum, ending the “no-party” Movement system. Article 72(1) guarantees the right to form political parties and other political organisations, while Article 72(2) requires them to uphold constitutional principles, including national character, internal democracy, accountability, and the rejection of sectarian or ethnic divisions (as detailed in Article 71). The framers clearly intended political parties to serve as instruments of national cohesion rather than sources of fragmentation.
More than two decades later, however, Uganda’s parties remain relatively fragmented. While slogans such as the Forum for Democratic Change’s “One Uganda, One People,” the National Unity Platform’s “People Power, Our Power,” and the NRM’s “Peace, Recovery, and Development” all evoke unity, political practice has often been characterised by personality-driven structures and mutual suspicion.
The DP–NRM Cooperation Agreement: A Turning Point?
The 2022 DP–NRM cooperation agreement represents a significant development in Uganda’s political landscape. Far from being a simple handshake, the pact explicitly commits the Democratic Party to supporting selected government priorities while carefully preserving its institutional independence. DP ministers operate under the principle of collective Cabinet responsibility, yet the agreement stops short of a full merger or absorption.
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Supporters rightly argue that the arrangement allows DP to exert influence from within government on critical issues such as electoral reforms, national dialogue, and institutional strengthening. Although some DP legislators challenged the pact in the Constitutional Court, the March 2026 ruling affirmed its legality. Internal discussions within DP continue, with Deputy President Fred Mukasa Mbidde and others highlighting areas of concern, while President Mao defends the move as strategic and forward-looking engagement. Notably, DP chose not to field a presidential candidate in the January 2026 elections, opting instead to support President Museveni—a historic shift that reflects evolving political thinking.
This arrangement is not absorption disguised as alliance. A genuine coalition demands negotiated terms, meaningful policy influence, and the preservation of each party’s core identity. The DP–NRM pact therefore serves as an important test of whether Ugandan politics is maturing beyond zero-sum competition.
DP’s Readiness for Modern Coalition Politics
The Democratic Party possesses undeniable strengths. As the party that played a pivotal role in Uganda’s independence struggle and produced the country’s first Prime Minister, DP carries a rich historical legacy rooted in dialogue, constitutionalism, and inclusive governance. Its foundational ideology—anchored in the rule of law, democratic values, and non-sectarian nationalism—positions it uniquely as a potential bridge-builder in Uganda’s polarised political environment.
In a deeply divided society, DP is well-placed among opposition parties to play a constructive unifying role. The future of Ugandan politics may belong less to the loudest voices and more to strategic actors who can transform unifying slogans into practical, inclusive governance.
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DP as a Beacon for Unity in Modern Politics
Uganda has no shortage of unity rhetoric. What it needs is the courage and maturity to translate those ideals into action. The Democratic Party has a historic opportunity to lead by example—showing that coalitions do not require capitulation. By maintaining transparency, insisting on clear policy deliverables, and remaining faithful to its constitutionalist roots, DP can model a new form of “constructive engagement” for Uganda’s next generation of leaders.
In an era marked by ethnic, regional, and generational divides, a mature and strategically engaged DP could help shift the country from adversarial politics toward genuine collaborative nation-building. The alternative—continued fragmentation, deepening public cynicism, and political irrelevance—serves no one’s interest.
Conclusion
Coalition politics represents Uganda’s realistic future in its diverse, multiparty democracy. The 2022 DP–NRM agreement, its validation by the Constitutional Court, and the approaching expiry deadline have brought these realities into sharp focus.
Uganda needs more than slogans. It requires genuine political courage—the courage to negotiate, to compromise for the national good, and to build unity not merely for convenience, but for the long-term prosperity of the country. The Democratic Party stands at a critical crossroads. Its choices in the coming months and years will help define not only its own legacy, but the broader trajectory of multiparty democracy and nation-building in Uganda.
