Democratic Party (DP) president general Norbert Mao has criticised the Ugandan media for marginalising smaller political parties in their coverage, calling for more balanced reporting ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Speaking this week, Mao expressed frustration that media houses continue to dwell on internal wrangles within DP while giving little to no attention to emerging parties and their milestones.

He cited the recent election of Kampala Central MP Muhammad Nsereko as president of the Ecological Party, which, he said, was largely ignored by the press.

"It was bad that media failed to provide coverage to the Ecological Party that voted MP Muhammad Nsereko as its Party President," Mao said.

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"Instead, the media are only focusing on covering the mayhem in DP."

Mao warned that such one-sided coverage distorts public perception and hampers the growth of Uganda's multiparty democracy.

"We need fair and balanced coverage of all political parties," he said. "This will help to promote a more inclusive and representative democracy."

He argued that by amplifying the challenges of a few parties while ignoring the progress of others, the media are shaping a skewed narrative that benefits dominant players and disenfranchises emerging voices.

Mao's remarks come as political parties gear up for a tense campaign season ahead of the 2026 polls.

With the media expected to play a central role in shaping voter opinions, he urged journalists to move beyond sensationalism and embrace responsible reporting.

"The media must not just reflect noise and scandal," he said. "They should help Ugandans understand the political alternatives before them."

His comments have renewed calls for Uganda's media fraternity to uphold its duty of impartiality and provide equitable visibility for all political actors, regardless of their size or popularity.