Mbidde To Mao: Withdraw Or Face Humiliating Defeat In Speakership Race

By Fred Mukasa Mbidde

The National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) Central Executive Committee (CEC) has reached a significant decision at State House, Entebbe, approving the nominations of Rt Hon Oboth Oboth for Speaker and Rt Hon Thomas Tayebwa for Deputy Speaker. This pivotal resolution leaves only two choices for our party president, Hon Norbert Mao: either withdraw from the race and safeguard his remaining credibility, or proceed toward what appears to be a certain defeat, risking not only personal embarrassment but also the reputation of our party.

Hon Mao finds himself in a challenging position, compounded by his recent transformation into a rigid and dogmatic figure, increasingly detached from collaborative political engagement. It is important to underscore that his prospects for success hinge on a fundamental miscalculation, namely the belief that victory could be secured without collective consensus, while disregarding the complexities of Uganda’s political environment.

I wish to reiterate the guidance I have previously offered, based on my experience and the prevailing political realities:

1. I have successfully won elections to this Parliament twice, while Hon Mao has not. Following experienced counsel would therefore be prudent.
2. The Democratic Party (DP) holds only six parliamentary seats, making it necessary for Hon Mao’s candidacy to receive the blessing of H.E. the NRM Chairman before any public announcement could be made.
3. The timing of Hon Mao’s request for clearance coincided with the CEC’s consideration of the speakership, a critical process whose timing he unfortunately misjudged.
4. Hon Mao underestimated the dynamics of the race by believing that eloquence and social media support alone would suffice, while overlooking the sophisticated political calculations within Parliament.
5. In a multiparty political environment, for Hon Mao to gain traction with the NRM CEC, he would first require a formal resolution from his party’s executive organ, which he currently lacks.
6. His misunderstanding of the now-expired Cooperation Agreement within the DP has led to incorrect assumptions regarding coalition formations, thereby excluding him from serious consideration by the NRM.
7. Hon Mao’s failure to negotiate effectively, even concerning the agreement he personally endorsed, reflects poorly on his leadership approach.
8. It is important to remember that our forefathers, such as Rt Ben Kiwanuka and Dr Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere, pursued cooperation with governments not for personal ministerial gain, but for the collective benefit of the party and the country.
9. Historical examples, such as Rt Hon Ben Kiwanuka serving as Chief Justice during the Idi Amin regime, illustrate that cooperation can produce significant national contributions without compromising party principles.
10. Across successive governments, prominent DP figures have served alongside leaders from other political formations, demonstrating the importance of collaboration in advancing national objectives rather than personal ambition.

Ben Kiwanuka served in Idi Amin’s government alongside Mathias Ngobi and Sebalu. Dr Ssemogerere served in the governments of Yusuf Lule, Godfrey Binaisa, Paulo Muwanga, Tito Okello Lutwa, and Yoweri Museveni, alongside leaders such as Evaristo Nyanzi, Ssebana Kizito, Joseph Mulenga, Robert Kitariko, Ochaya, Obwangor, and Mulema, among others. In contrast, Hon Mao appears to treat the Cooperation Agreement as a political tool for personal advancement, almost akin to a perpetual search for office.

In light of these historical comparisons, I urge Hon Norbert Mao to reconsider his approach to the current political landscape. Choosing a path of withdrawal could restore his credibility and create room for future engagements capable of elevating the party rather than diminishing it.

Let us reflect on our party’s legacy and strive for a political strategy that values collaboration, mutual respect, and a long-term vision for the benefit of all Ugandans. We have a duty to negotiate the extension of the Cooperation Agreement, because any future appointments made outside such a framework risk creating unnecessary political complications going forward.

The writer, Hon. Dr Fred Mukasa Mbidde, Vice President, Democratic Party.