The Constitutional Court of Uganda has dismissed a petition challenging the cooperation agreement between the Democratic Party (DP) and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

In a unanimous decision led by Justice Asa Mugenyi, the court ruled that the agreement did not violate the Constitution of Uganda.

The petitioners -- six DP legislators, including Richard Lumu, Dr Lulume Bayigga, Lukwago Mpalanyi and Fredrick Kayondo -- had argued that DP President Norbert Mao acted unconstitutionally when he signed the cooperation pact with the NRM.

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They contended that the agreement undermined the party's independence and contravened constitutional provisions governing political organisation and multiparty democracy.

However, the court found that Mao and other DP members serving in Cabinet did not breach any constitutional provisions by entering into the arrangement.

"The Co-operation Agreement did not violate the Constitution of Uganda," Justice Mugenyi ruled.

The agreement, signed in 2022, sought to foster collaboration on governance issues, including electoral reforms, national dialogue and institutional strengthening.

Following its signing, Mao was appointed Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs in President Yoweri Museveni's government, a move that sparked internal divisions within DP.

DP was represented in court by Semuyaba, Iga & Company Advocates.

The ruling clears the way for the Democratic Party to continue implementing its cooperation framework with the NRM, particularly on legislative and governance matters, while affirming the legality of the pact under Uganda's constitutional order.