Democratic Party (DP) President Norbert Mao has defended his attendance at the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) leadership retreat, saying he was formally invited in his dual capacity as Minister of Justice and party leader.

Mao's explanation follows public debate over his participation in the NRM Parliamentary Caucus retreat currently underway at the National Leadership Institute Kyankwanzi.

In a statement, Mao said he attended the retreat as "Minister and Leader of the DP," adding that he was invited as a guest of the NRM National Chairman, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

"I was invited as Minister and Leader of DP. As the letter shows, I'm a guest of the National Chairman," Mao said, referencing a formal invitation issued by the ruling party.

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The invitation letter, dated March 27 and signed by Richard Todwong, indicates that Museveni directed the organization of a retreat for nearly 450 members of the incoming NRM Parliamentary Caucus and extended an invitation to Mao to attend.

The retreat, running from April 7 to 15, is being held under the theme of aligning NRM leadership towards "protecting the gains and making the qualitative leap to a higher middle-income status society."

Todwong, in the letter, described Mao as a "Senior Comrade" and said the invitation was issued on the directive of the NRM National Chairman.

Mao's attendance has drawn scrutiny given his leadership of the opposition Democratic Party, with some critics questioning the implications of his presence at a ruling party strategy meeting.

However, the Justice Minister has maintained that his participation is consistent with his government role and does not contradict his political position.

The NRM retreat at Kyankwanzi is a key event for the ruling party, often used to shape legislative priorities and consolidate political strategy ahead of major national decisions.