Former Democratic Party (DP) Vice National Chairperson, Simon Opoka, has explained why he recently joined the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), weeks after his former party postponed endorsing him for the Laroo-Pece Division Parliamentary seat. Opoka was officially nominated last Thursday on the UPC ticket and will now compete against his former Party President General and Minister of Justice for Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, for the same parliamentary seat.

Opoka’s nomination came just a day after Mao, who had been largely silent about a return to local politics, was endorsed by the Electoral Commission as the DP’s official flag bearer. Speaking to reporters, Opoka said that while DP delayed his endorsement for Laroo-Pece, UPC, led by party president Jimmy Akena, welcomed him openly. He emphasized that Mao had not applied for the Laroo-Pece Division parliamentary seat and had previously given his blessing when Opoka formally expressed interest.

Opoka further accused Mao of allegedly sidelining party members, including himself, in his negotiations with President Yoweri Museveni. By contrast, at UPC, Akena has assured him of transparency and inclusion in discussions with the President on behalf of the people of Acholi and Uganda.

“I have gone to Jimmy Akena and I have asked UPC not to negotiate with Museveni but to negotiate with him on behalf of the people. I am here to negotiate for my people. and Jimmy Akena promised me at the round table of negotiating Uganda, I will be there to represent you,” Opoka said. He also criticized Mao, accusing him of deliberately trying to weaken DP, while insisting he has no regrets about leaving his former party.

Mao, however, responded last Wednesday after his nomination, accusing Opoka of indiscipline and failing to adhere to party decisions. The three-time presidential candidate said he only learned of Opoka’s approval to contest the Laroo-Pece seat two days before the Electoral Commission officially nominated parliamentary candidates.

“When you join a political party, you must abide by the discipline and decisions of that party. Those who want to do what they want don’t join parties, and you know them, the moment you join a party, the party has a constitution, the DP constitution allows the organs of the party to decide as to who carries the flag,” Mao said.

Over the weekend, Christopher Okidi, a lawyer and former President of the Uganda Young Democrats (UYD), told reporters that reconciliation between Mao and Opoka is possible. He noted that while politics is driven by individual interests, the rift between the two is not irreparable.

“I don't think the relationship between Simon, Mao, and anybody else who has left the party, I don't think it is irredeemable. There is just a need for some voices of reason to be able to speak to both sides. And at the end of it all, impress on all the parties that we need to work together,” Okidi said.

Alex Okoya, a veteran journalist and political analyst in Gulu city, described the contest between Opoka and Mao, longtime allies and party colleagues, as a familiar feature in Acholi politics. Okoya noted that many view Mao’s return to local politics as a “fallback,” but that ministers often hold such positions, and Mao meets all qualifications to contest in Laroo-Pece.

He added that the race could be unusual, given their long association and mutual knowledge of political strategies, which could influence the outcome. “The implication is very clear that both of them know their secret. Opoka, having worked close to Mao, could have known some of the secrets, tactics, and political gimmicks of Mao and believes now he can get the antidotes to overcome it,” Okoya said.

Mao is no stranger to Gulu and the wider Acholi Sub-region. He represented the former Gulu Municipality in Parliament for two terms from 1996 to 2006, then served as District LCV Chairperson until 2011. Mao has been DP President General since 2010 and was appointed Minister shortly after signing a cooperation agreement with the ruling NRM government in July 2022, a move criticized by some DP members.

Opoka joined DP at 16 as a Uganda Young Democrat (UYD) and steadily rose through the ranks. Between 2015 and 2020, he represented the Acholi sub-region on the National Executive Committee (NEC). In 2020, he was elected unopposed as Deputy Vice National Chairperson during the Sir Samuel Baker National Delegates Conference in Gulu city, serving a five-year term. In June this year, he was again elected unopposed to the same position at the delegates' conference.

URN