Robert Kyagulanyi, the president of the National Unity Platform (NUP), yesterday said Norbert Mao, the minister of Justice and DP president, had betrayed the struggle for democracy and good governance.
Addressing supporters ahead of his presidential nomination by the Electoral Commission on September 23, Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine expressed dismay at Mao’s recent remarks dismissing the relevance of democracy in Uganda, accusing him of betraying his earlier principles.
Kyagulanyi recalled admiring Mao during his tenure as guild president at Makerere University, where he championed democratic values.
“It is shocking that Norbert Mao, whom we looked up to, now says democracy has no place in our country,” Kyagulanyi remarked amid cheers from supporters.
He called Mao’s actions a betrayal of the struggle for a fairer Uganda, accusing him of working to silence genuine opposition voices.
“We know who our friends and enemies are,” Kyagulanyi declared, vowing that the revolution for a “new Uganda” would persist despite arrests, brutality, or even death.
He accused Mao of aligning with “fake opposition leaders” to undermine genuine opposition efforts, warning that Mao risks becoming “another Kakooza Mutale,” a figure associated with electoral intimidation in past elections.
The NUP leader urged Ugandans to participate in a “protest vote” to challenge the National Resistance Movement (NRM) regime, which he claims has oppressed citizens for 40 years.
Kyagulanyi also highlighted the alleged abductions of NUP supporters, including Eddy Mutwe, Mufumbiro, Wakabi Smart, Mugumya Qaddafi, Umar Kato, Machete, and Kabanzi Sharif.
Kyagulanyi called on supporters to join him in large numbers for his nomination on Tuesday, followed by rallies in Katwe and Nateete. He framed the upcoming election as a battle between the oppressed and the oppressor, urging Ugandans to take charge of their country’s liberation.
“This is not just an election; it is a war against a regime that abducts our children, denies jobs based on tribe, and excludes many from the national economy,” he said.
The Leader of Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, echoed Kyagulanyi’s sentiments, criticising Mao for failing to amend the Political Parties and Organisations Act to ensure equitable funding for all parties. Ssenyonyi accused Mao of engaging with “fake opposition” while sidelining legitimate voices like NUP.
