Under-fire Democratic Party (DP) President Norbert Mao has defended his decision to attend the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Members of Parliament retreat in Kyankwanzi, following criticism from sections of his party.

A pressure group, DP at Heart, recently questioned Mao’s presence at the high-level gathering, raising concerns about his political alignment.

In response, Mao clarified that he attended the retreat in his official capacity as both Minister and DP leader. “I was invited as Minister and Leader of DP. As the letter shows, I’m a guest of the National Chairman,” he stated.

To support his position, Mao shared on social media a formal invitation from Richard Todwong, the NRM Secretary General, dated March 27.

Mao maintained that his participation is consistent with his role in government and does not contradict his leadership of the Democratic Party.