DP Uganda

NOBERT MAO PROMISES A NEW UGANDA

2011-02-18T00:59:00.001+03:00

Norbert Mao, 44, Democratic Party

NOBERT Mao is a lawyer, an orator and the leader of the Democratic Party (DP).

He was twice the MP for Gulu Municipality between 1996 and 2006 and applauded as an exceptional debater.

Born on March 12, 1967, Mao has branded himself the true candidate for national reconciliation.

He went to Namilyango College before joining Makerere University for a degree in law where he also became the guild president in 1990.

Although he has many good attributes, Mao’s disadvantage is that he has gone into this election leading a divided a party.

After losing to John Ssebaana Kizito during his first attempt to lead DP in 2006, Mao stood for Gulu district chairman and he won.
What he has promised:

Overhaul the education system

Establishing 16 public universities.

Increase agriculture and health budget allocations to 15%.

Massive investment in the reconstruction of war ravaged northern Uganda.

A transparent and citizen-centred oil and gas policy

DP'S MAO TO REVIVE AGRICULTURE

2011-02-17T15:10:00.001+03:00

DEMOCRATIC Party (DP) presidential candidate Norbert Mao has said he will revive the agricultural sector once voted to power.

Mao was addressing his final rallies in Lubaga and Makindye divisions, where he told his supporters that agriculture was once the backbone of this country, but had been neglected by the current government.

“Every financial year, this government allocates only 8% of the budget to agriculture, which has brought the sector that was once glorious to a stand-still.

"These funds cannot sustain the sector, which feeds a population of more than 30 million people,” Mao said.

He said his government would allocate a minimum of 15% of the country’s budget to reviving the agricultural sector.

Mao added that once the sector is boosted, the country will increase the production of food, which will also be used for export.

“During this government, the country has faced famine, which is a result of insufficient funding for the agricultural sector. This means the country will continue to suffer if nothing is done to boost the sector,” he said.

Mao, who was flanked by his wife Naome, pledged to set up agriculture-based industries throughout the country that will buy produce and make products for the local and export markets.

“Our products would carry great value once they are processed locally instead of exporting raw materials to countries that would use the residue to get more products. If we export finished goods, we will boost our economy,” Mao said.

He promised to subsidise imported agricultural equipment, saying this would encourage Ugandans to practise agriculture.

Mao, who addressed rallies in Nakulabye and Kasubi markets, said he would fight hard to reclaim the electricity distributing company that was sold to foreigners.

“Since the sale of many government-owned companies, our people have suffered with the high prices levied on products. If we bring those companies back, people will get services at fair prices, hence development,” he said.

He promised to reduce electricity and fuel prices if voted into power.

Mao assured his supporters that he would win the elections by 67%, saying he has electorate bases in the Northern region, among the youth, the poor and in his party.

He urged them to vote for DP’s Maxensia Nalubwika in Lubaga North and Joseph Lwanga of Makindye east.

AN INTERVIEW WITH MAO ON ELECTION EVE

2011-02-17T15:07:00.000+03:00

Norbert Mao was elected president of the Democratic Party (DP) on Saturday February 20, 2010 and now set to run for president of Uganda in the 2011 general elections. His party (DP) faced a lot of challenges that led to a split and deep polarization at the height of 2011 presidential elections. Mao speaks Luo, Luganda, Runyankole and English fluently.

We’ve just been at Makarere University for the last rally in Kampala, how have you found the campaign trail in this election?

For me it has been very exciting, it’s an opportunity to learn more about the people. It has also given me an opportunity to share with the people some of my thoughts and my plans. It has been an opportunity to mobilize the party. It has been an opportunity to get questions. And also I have had to come face to face with ghosts of the past. In the Luweero Triangle I was asked by someone about the killings by government troops, many of whom were from northern Uganda. So this was an opportunity to help Ugandans to come to terms with the past, and also to rise above it. So the campaign trail has been fantastic.

And how do you feel things have changed politically, particularly in Northern Uganda, since the last election?

Right now the population is more dispersed. People were in IDP camps, and candidates would patrol the camps and find voters. President Museveni has made some concessions about northern Uganda. So the political landscape has changed a little bit. I believe he expects a little more support. But he has not dealt with the substantive issues of national reconciliation; he has not dealt with the reparations, paying war debt. And because the expectations of the people are higher during peace, President Museveni may not actually reap any dividends. We are now called upon to be more substantive, not just denouncing war and conflict and displacement. So in many ways it is not 2006, at least it is not 2001.

The north has a very large young population, as does the rest of the country, and I’ve seen and heard a lot of people referring to you as Obama. How do you feel about that nickname?

I feel flattered to be associated with a great leader like President Barack Obama, but it’s more about my ethnic mix. My mother is from Ankole, where Museveni comes from, and my father is from Acholi, in Northern Uganda. The same way that Obama has been a bridge between black people and white people in America, many people believe that my ethnic mix gives me a better advantage in being a bridge to unite the north and the south, to heal that long divide that we have been having. Obama challenges us to aspire to a greater future and I am also challenging Ugandans by telling them that we can’t do anything about the past, but we can change the future.

One of your talking points is “UB40”, Ugandans Below 40. Do you think that your party has policies that attract young people?

The Democratic Party has the most vibrant youth movement. Our programs for job creation, for support entrepreneurship amongst the young, of supporting education through more funding, providing for student loans and providing scholarships for students to pursue degrees science and technology overseas, and our program for reforming the education system so that students can have real skills instead of just a piece of paper, these ideas are so appealing to the youth. And by being a candidate whose online presence is very strong, young people relate to me. They know that we have a shared past. They don’t share any past with Museveni. They relate to the demand for jobs and better education.

Young people are always known for having more progressive ideas. Uganda has been criticized internationally for its stance on gay rights and apparent toleration of homophobia. What are your thoughts on this issue?

All ideas must progress through time before they are accepted. Uganda is going through the effects of globalization, and while in the West gay people declare themselves openly and have clubs and publish magazines, our society has not yet reached that point. There was a piece of drama named “The Vagina Monologues”, and it was thrown out of Uganda. There was no outcry over that. I supported the women who wanted to show that piece of drama. The prejudice being felt by homosexuals in Uganda has been felt by other societies. I believe that homosexuals are human beings and that they are entitled to their human rights, but I think the world should understand when we take precautions to protect vulnerable parts of our society. But also I think the world has been unfair to Uganda. There are so many Ugandans who are in jail unfairly, but President Obama has never said a word about them. I think human rights should be like the Ten Commandments. It doesn’t matter which one you break, you go to hell. When I become president I will encourage the western world to understand why this is a sensitive debate.

It should be noted that the bill, which called for the death penalty for certain homosexual behavior, resulted partly from a tour by some evangelical ministers from the US.

Well this cuts both ways. I am a sinner, and am taught to hate the sin but love the sinner, and I think we have no right to judge. People should accept the culture shock, but also we must take precautions against the manipulations by those who are sitting on moral high horses. People will exploit [the gay rights movement], but I think that Uganda is big enough to accommodate people of all sexual orientations, because we cannot have a moral police going round putting cameras in people’s bedrooms. There would be many things going on.

What are the most important changes you think Uganda needs with its next government?

Uganda is still too caught up with the “big man” politics. President Museveni is in the mold of Mugabe and Said Barra, leaders whose departures signal chaos, and they use that threat to cling on to power. I believe that we need to put power back into the hands of the people. Our elections are meaningless because they are based on bribery and the state machinery is used heavily to undermine opponents. I think the number one agenda is genuine democracy. We need to fight corruption. The president and his cronies use government funds like loose change. I think we need leaders who lead by personal example. We also need to deal with social injustices- the gap between the rich and poor is too high. The price of basic necessities is too high, the government needs to intervene. Even the education sector discriminates against the poor; even health services discriminate against the poor. So my most urgent set of reforms would be to restore term limits, that’s very healthy for a democracy. People get used to arrivals and departures. Museveni has overstayed his welcome and he needs to go. And we don’t need his permission for us to tell him that he needs to go, and to make him go. We need to deal with economic reforms, and also to support the strategic sectors such as agriculture. But most of that will not be done if we have a kleptocrat and his cronies in power. Fighting corruption is a key agenda for me.

You have spoken about Kenyan elections in your rallies and about the tribal coalitions it uses. What do you think Uganda can learn from Kenya’s successes and failures?

Firstly I think that the Kenyans have learned that no community can totally dominate the country, and that forces compromise. I think that compromise is good in politics we must learn the culture of give and take, and I think the Kenyans have learned the hard way. We don’t have to learn the hard way. Secondly I think we have learned that if you are marginalized because of your tribe, then you should not apologize for organizing on the basis of your tribe. That’s why women organize as women, because if your gender is the basis for your marginalization then you should organize on the basis of that marginalization. Thirdly, we should learn from Kenya that you need to talk. In Uganda the political classes don’t talk. The main political leaders have never sat in the same room and talked. But also the Kenyan politics has totally disenfranchised the ordinary people, because the people are used as bargaining chips. The wheeling and dealing turns the people into pawns that are used to gain political mileage, and that is something we should avoid in Uganda.

What can be learned from the recent events in Tunisia and Egypt?

What we have learned is that no dictator is invincible. Every tyrant has their Achilles heel; you just have to find it. But we also have to study the societies. Egypt and Tunisia have very high literacy rates, the societies are culturally homogenous, and they speak Arabic, which unites them. But otherwise I think that the Tunisian and Egyptian experience is applicable to Uganda.

Do you think that the events in Tunisia and Egypt have had an effect on the way Ugandan voters view these elections?

Yes. It’s like a giant who has been sleeping realizing its strength. Because of the power of the media, you say Tunisia every Ugandans may not be able to locate it on a map but they know that there was a long-serving dictator who was kicked out by angry masses. It is a good precedent for those who desire democracy, and a bad precedent for despots. Uganda is not like Egypt and Tunisia, but Museveni is like Mubarak and Ben Ali.

And finally, the election is in two days. If you don’t win how will you and your family be relaxing after these grueling months of campaigning?

It’s not so much about relaxing. I will take a few days off to catch up on sleep, maybe do some travelling, compile my diary and generally get back to the work of preparing for the next offensive. That is if the result is acceptable. If we have reasons to challenge the results we will not be reluctant. We will be in the trenches, challenging the results and asserting the power of the people. If I win I will be naming a cabinet, touring the country and forming a governing alliance. We have run a strong race and surprised even ourselves. The party is energized and no matter the results, the exertions will not be in vain.

Tags 2011 presidential elections, 2011 uganda, democratic party, elections in uganda, Government, Mao, mao uganda, Norbert Mao, uganda democratic party, Ugandan elections, Voting, Candidate, Election, Parliament, Party Politics, Politics

MAO PROMISES BETTER SOCIAL SERVICES

2011-02-15T11:53:00.000+03:00

By Andrew Ssenyonga

DEMOCRATIC Party (DP) presidential candidate Norbert Mao yesterday campaigned in Nakawa division where he told his supporters that he would uplift their living standards.

Mao, who addressed mini-rallies in Ntinda, Nakawa and Mbuya, said he would put in place health facilities, roads and projects to fight poverty.

“Some health facilities are in a poor state and need re-enforcement. The roads that are surrounding Kampala are also in a sorry state, something has to be done,” Mao stated.

Mao also promised to improve the education system.

“The standard of education in the country worries and if something is not done, our children might end up jobless.
“This is coupled with the rampant corruption in the education and the sub-standard graduates from the system,” he noted.

He added that most of the Government institutions were poorly funded.
Mao, who was accompanied by his wife Naome, told the people of Nakawa to embrace change.

At his rally at Acholi Quarters in Mbuya, Mao promised the residents permanent buildings once he is voted into power.

“You are not here because of your own will but due to the problems that befell the northern part of Uganda,” Mao said.

Mao also thanked the Kabaka of Buganda for welcoming the Acholi to his land. He added that it showed a sign of solidarity between the people of Buganda and those from the northern region. Mao advised the Acholi to only vote for DP members.

Mao told the residents that guns in the north had fallen silenct but the struggle to remove President Museveni from power was still on.

Mao campaigned for DP members Ketty Asabaawebwa (Kampala woman MP) and Nakawa division’s Kenneth Kakande.

He said DP had a strong, young and energetic team that would deliver better services and fight corruption.

MY LEADERSHIP WILL BE NON-SECTARIAN-MAO

2011-02-14T22:07:00.002+03:00

MOSES Mulondo interviewed presidential candidate Norbert Mao on his chances of winning the February 18 poll and how he hopes to manage the country thereafter.

How do you rate yourself and all the other candidates in the race?
Well, we have got those we call the usual suspects who include the NRM and the FDC and the only new thing we have observed in them is style, not substance. NRM’s Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for 25 years and FDC’s Kizza Besigye, who has campaigned for 10 years, are not like me who is new in the presidential contest. But of course I am not new in Uganda’s politics. To defeat an incumbent like Museveni you need to have a solid base.

What base do you have?
I have four different bases. As a candidate for DP, I count on the party’s traditional support base of Buganda, which has been re-awakened since I became the party leader.

I will certainly perform better than all other candidates in Buganda. My other base is Uganda’s young generation — below 40 years. I expect to win that vote. The 2011 election is about securing Uganda’s future and about closing the old chapter and opening a new one of brightness and hope.

My other base is the dispossessed, the ordinary people who constitute the majority of the voters.
Of all the candidates, I have taken the lead in fighting for their cause. Finally, the northern block will vote for me because my candidature pushes back the stigmatisation of the northerners.

I expect a resounding win in northern Uganda on account of my contribution to peace and reconstruction of the region. I believe this is an election we can win as DP and victory is in our hands.

Who do you consider to be the two leading contenders in the contest for the presidency?
Because of the power of incumbency, this election is between DP and the NRM.
Most of the people within the opposition fraternity believe I am the best alternative to the NRM regime because I have never been part of it and I am also the candidate of national reconciliation.
How do you now rate President Yoweri Museveni?
I still insist that President Yoweri Museveni enjoys the power of incumbency, but does not have sufficient numbers to win. It is possible that the election may go into a run-off. For him, power has become an end in itself.

How do you rate the FDC candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye?
The FDC still enjoys some level of support, especially from NRM members who have lost faith in Museveni as an individual but have not lost faith in the NRM. Besigye’s only drive into presidency seems to be kicking out Museveni, but Ugandans look beyond that because they are also interested in a better alternative.

Besigye has failed to galvanise his supporters. In fact, he depends on borrowed support from DP. FDC will suffer the dangers of a borrowed base. I believe that Besigye’s best days are behind him.

Are you saying 2006 was Besigye’s peak?
Yes. He has made two attempts and I do not believe that he can exceed his previous performance because he lacks a home, which I have.

And how do you rate the UPC candidate Olara Otunnu?
Ambassador Otunnu has in the past played national politics and at one time he was involved in peace talks between the Uganda government and Museveni, who was representing the NRA rebels. I look at Otunnu as somebody who is posing a moral challenge to Museveni. But having been away from Uganda for long, the time he has had on the ground is not enough to help him make an impact.

What about the UFA Presidential candidate Beti Kamya?
Beti Kamya is basically running a single issue campaign. She is very articulate and being the only woman candidate in the race makes her campaign more colourful.

But the issues she is raising are also being raised by all the other opposition candidates.

For DP, we have been fighting for federalism since the 1960s. Her candidature has surely created some level of excitement among people but it is impossible to win a national election on a single issue.

How do you gauge the PPP candidate, Bidandi Ssali?
I think Mzee Bidandi is clearing his conscience. He entered the race to show that he has offered his age and wisdom. He has run an impressive billboard campaign. I think his role is more as a moderating influence. I don’t think he is a serious contender.

What of Dr. Abed Bwanika of PDP?
Bwanika has some interesting ideas but he does not have any political base and that eliminates him from the serious contenders.

How do you rate Samuel Lubega?
Samuel Lubega lost disastrously two times in his attempt to become an MP. I think he is in the contest only to prove a point that he is also capable of running for president.

So, for him running for president is a great achievement and an end in itself. He is running a pathetic campaign which is unlikely to yield anything.

What do you think attracted this big number of people to contest for the presidency?
When you have many contenders for an office, it is a sign of fragmentation. But I think it also shows that many political leaders see 2011 as a turning point and they don’t want to be left behind.

What will you do if you are defeated?
If I lose in a free and fair process, I will congratulate the winner but if the process is marred with rigging and I am already seeing signs of rigging, I will lead a strong non-violent campaign to resist the perpetrators of the rigging. I will call out citizens to the streets to non-violently demonstrate against rigging.

If all goes well and you win, what will happen to Uganda?
It will be great for Ugandans to see a peaceful handover of power for the first time. It will be exciting to see a president who has no blood on his hands taking over. It will be exciting to see the Uganda army saluting me and paying respect to the office and not the occupant of the office which is what will restore faith in the democratic process. The Uganda I will lead will be sectarian-free.

If Museveni wins, would you accept an offer of a position to serve in his government?
To join in a Museveni government only means that you probably want the benefits of the office because it is very unlikely that you will be given the opportunity to serve.

So, my answer to your question is no. By the way, even if I were to join his government, he would be forced to dismiss me in a very short time.

But you can also find common ground even if you are not together in government. Cooperation must not only mean co-optation. So, I will agree to cooperate, but I will not agree to be co-opted in Museveni’s government.

VOTE DP TO END MILITARISM IN UGANDAN POLITICS

2011-02-14T21:59:00.002+03:00

For more than 44 years after independence, Uganda has had a nasty past and uncertain future. Ethnicity, greed, power struggle and arrogance has reduced this country to the blood pot of East Africa.

On February 18, like on December 12, 1980, Uganda will make history. The 1980 elections, believed to have been rigged by Obote, gave birth to the National Resistance Movement- formed as a result of rigged elections! The moral question remains: why has President Museveni’s NRM forgotten to respect the power of the people as enshrined in Article 1 of the Constitution? Our past election was declared flawed and rigged by courts of law but the same Electoral Commission of 2006 is still in place.

The Democratic Party urges Ugandans to vote for Norbert Mao and own the process of transforming our country. All Ugandans registered must vote and put vote protection as a priority. DP will offer Uganda a lean, accountable and just government. We shall ride on the principle of truth and justice and restore respect for Uganda and its people. The regional divide responsible for past tension and violence will be erased with a president who appeals to all regions of Uganda. With a mother from Ankole and father from Acholi, Mao is set to build the otherwise broken social fabric and national cohesion.

DP under the leadership of Norbert Mao will end corruption through leading by example. We will set a foundation for democracy and good governance with stringent laws on corruption. We will ensure better service delivery in sectors such as education, health, infrastructures, minerals and the entire economy. DP will create and respect strong institutions of governance of state to promote rule of law besides ensuring respect for human dignity and justice for all and equality before the law. We shall have a people-based and sustainable economy.

Uganda’s economy is a paradox of poverty amidst plenty. While the economy is said to grow by seven per cent, relative and real poverty is on the rise! 80 per cent of our population depends on agriculture yet it’s the most neglected sector. DP will invest heavily in agriculture and make it a priority besides the manufacturing industry. This will create 1 million jobs within the first three years of our leadership. DP will also reduce the unfair tax burden on the society and create citizens economic empowerment fund to support enThe Democratic Party is the only party of hope for lasting peace in this country. Uganda will lean on the peaceful principles of DP for peace and prosperity. We shall improve the education sector through heavy investment. Teachers will have a living wage and accommodation.

DP will ensure quality of education, not access (enrollment numbers)! Lunch in schools will be a right and students from both poor and rich backgrounds will have the same education through loan schemes for institutions. The health sector too, will be boosted. DP will increase the health budget; Ugandans will have health insurance and above all, maternal health will be a priority besides combating HIV Aids. DP will create a fully-fledged ministry of youth and add up to their representation in Parliament.

At the end of the day, we ask: what has gone wrong in our country? The answer is Ugandans must heed to the voice of change- genuine change based on background and character of the leader being elected. We must put an end to arrogance and militarism; we must reinstate term limits and vote a president who transcends tribalism and stands on truth and justice. That president is Norbert Mao.

Mr Mwaka Lutukumoi, DP’s national spokesperson, wrote this article on behalf of his party leader

MAO PROMISES TO LOWER TAXES

2011-02-13T11:28:00.002+03:00

DEMOCRATIC Party presidential candidate, Norbert Mao, has promised to lower taxes and boost businesses.

He said he would also embark on infrastructural development in the area of roads, railways, education and health.

While addressing a rally at Boma grounds, in Koboko over the weekend, he told a jubilant crowd that he would also raise the agriculture budget to 15%, restore the defunct cooperatives and establish a farmer’s bank to make farming attractive and lucrative.

He also promised to set up an export processing zone at Oraba to tap the lucrative market in South Sudan and create employment opportunities for the youth. At Oraba border, Mao pledged to support South Sudan to join the East African Community.

Earlier in the day, Mao traversed all the seven sub-counties of Koboko district, bolstering support for Dr. David Dronyi, the DP parliamentary flag-bearer for Koboko.

He castigated the Universal Primary Education (UPE) programme for lacking quality and serving as a dumping ground for children of the poor.

“Why should the future of our children depend on the wealth or poverty of their parents?” he asked. We are all of equal value. Every child has dreams that must be nurtured in life.”

MAO PREDICTS A RE-RUN, BRAGS OF HOME SUPPORT

2011-02-13T11:18:00.000+03:00

Written by Michael Mubangizi
Sunday, 06 February 2011 21:09
With presidential election campaigns almost entering their last week, DP presidential candidate, Norbert Mao, is sparing no effort in persuading Ugandans to choose him ahead of his rivals.

Mao, the outgoing Gulu LC-V chairman, is currently campaigning in his home region of northern Uganda. He winds up his tour of the West Nile districts of Arua, Nebbi, Zombo, Maracha, Koboko, Yumbe, Moyo and Adjumani tomorrow, before embarking on Gulu, Amuru, Lamwo, Kitgum and Pader districts.

The main targets of his message have been President Yoweri Museveni, Dr Kizza Besigye and Olara Otunnu.

Mao says that Besigye, who is president of the Forum for Democratic Change and flagbearer of the Inter-Party Cooperation, cannot win the presidency because he has no support in his home region – western Uganda.

“I come with a bloc vote from the north, an area that has never voted for Museveni. Join me so that we defeat him,” Mao repeatedly told his supporters in Jinja recently.

“Charity begins at home. A person without support at home cannot defeat Museveni.”

Besides losing in his home area, Mao says, Besigye has lost in the two previous presidential elections (2001 and 2006) and thus exhausted his chances of becoming president.

“He has missed two penalties. Which coach can give you a third penalty kick?” Mao asked at a rally in Arua town last week. He repeats this analogy at most of his rallies.

Mao also throws barbs at Otunnu, the Uganda People’s Congress flag bearer. Although he rarely mentions Otunnu by name, Mao often says that unlike him who stuck with his people in their time of suffering during the conflict and helped highlight their plight, “his brother” was away, making phone calls asking about the war and the situation in northern Uganda.

“Now he has come back and is asking for votes. You don’t bring someone an umbrella when it has stopped raining,” Mao frequently says, ridiculing Otunnu, who spent several years overseas working with the United Nations as the war raged on in his Acholi homeland.

With the end of the war in the north, pundits predict an improvement in President Museveni’s political fortunes in the region. But Mao has been telling voters that Museveni, flag bearer of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), cannot claim any credit for ending the war in northern Uganda.

“You can’t put someone in a ditch for 20 years, then remove him and ask for votes from that person! The first thing that person will ask you before giving you a vote is why you put him in the ditch in the first place,” Mao said at rallies in Jinja.

Most of his campaigns in West Nile hinged on his record as a leader (MP and Gulu district chairman), which he says he has used to highlight the suffering in the region.

Mao also speaks of significant support from other parts of Uganda, particularly Buganda, where he says DP has strong support, and western Uganda from where his mother hails. He also brags about having a good following in eastern Uganda where he attended school.

However, contrary to Mao’s claims, history shows that people do not necessarily vote for candidates because they hail from their regions. For instance, his predecessor, Ssebaana Kizito, lost to President Museveni in Buganda.

Analysts also say that neither of the other presidential candidates, all Baganda, is strong enough to win in Buganda in the upcoming elections, and that the winner will be from another region. They are Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, Sam Lubega, Beti Kamya and Dr Abed Bwanika.

Predicting a rerun
Mao predicts that none of the presidential candidates will have an outright victory. Therefore, he says, he is confident that he will win in the subsequent re-run.

“This election will go into the second round, so if you in the north vote me, plus Buganda where DP has strong roots, then my [relatives] in the west and friends in the east, I will be the one to defeat Museveni.”

Mineral wealth
Mao also talks about the discovery of oil and other mineral wealth in parts of northern Uganda – citing oil and gold in Amuru, and gold and uranium in Rhino Camp, Arua – and cautions voters that NRM and Museveni cannot be entrusted with this wealth because of corruption.

“Leaving NRM in charge of oil is like leaving a hyena to guard your meat,” he said in Arua, adding that Museveni will become “even more despotic” with oil.

Mao claimed that influential people in government were buying land around the oil wells in a bid to take control of the ‘black gold’.

“They want to grab our land after impoverishing us,” he lamented.

Several people living with HIV and AIDS attended the rally in Arua town under their umbrella body, Arua District Network of People Living with HIV/ AIDS.

They demanded to know Mao’s policies about the pandemic. They also wanted assurances that his government would avail medicine in national hospitals.

Mao signed a memorandum of understanding with the organization, undertaking to raise funding for HIV/ AIDS prevention and treatment, and to increase funding to the health budget to 15%. He also promised to transform all Health Centre IV facilities into hospitals.

Mao’s rallies are normally cheerful because of his blend of wit and humour as he addresses issues affecting Ugandans. He normally reads out his mobile phone number at rallies for people to report to him cases of intimidation and to volunteer as DP agents.

He is, however, hampered by the lack of DP structures in some areas and this often affects preparations for his rallies.

In many cases, people in Mao’s convoy have to disembark and mobilize people to attend his rallies because DP has no one in the respective areas specifically responsible for this.

mcmubs@observer.ug

MAO TO ORGANISE VOTER HEAD COUNTING

2011-02-04T10:19:00.000+03:00

By BENEDICT OKETHWENGU

THE Democratic Party presidential candidate, Norbert Mao, has said the Electoral Commission should get ready for physical head counting of voters, if the NRM rigs the elections.

“If your Museveni and Kiggundu attempt to steal votes, I shall mobilise the voters across the country for physical head counting,” Mao said.

Mao said he does not trust the commission, headed by Eng. Badru Kiggundu.

He said voters should be ready to come with voters’ cards for physical counting.
Mao said Uganda needs a civilised democracy where there is a line separating the Government and the President.

“We need a new design of running this country, the President has the right and duty, but all programmes should not be attributed to him,” he said.

Mao said he would beat Museveni for top office because of his cross-cutting background and his support among the youth.

He labelled the Inter-party cooperation an alliance without a symbol, alluding it to three men fighting over a woman, who tells them to go and negotiate among themselves, saying she would be willing to take anybody they agree on.

Mao accused SUUBI of practicing tribal politics, saying they are not supporting him because he is not a Muganda. He promised to fight corruption in Uganda.
Mao said corruption has led to poor road network and shortage of drugs in hospitals.

He urged the people to shun candidates who say they will bring development because they are close to the President.
“Look for quality leaders with a good record and people who do not preach hatred,” Mao advised.

I do not think there is any person close to the president apart from his wife,” he said amid applause

MAO TO UPGRADE ALL HEALTH CENTRES

2011-02-04T10:17:00.000+03:00

Wednesday, 2nd February, 2011 E-mail article Print article

By DENNIS OJWEE

THE Democratic Party (DP) presidential candidate, Norbert Mao, has pledged to rebuild all health centre IV’s in the country to hospitals, fully equipped to conduct operations.

He said the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government under the leadership of President Yoweri Museveni had built health centres but had failed to stock them with drugs and equipment.

While addressing supporters at Koc-Goma sub-county headquarters in Nwoya district on Tuesday, Mao said since the NRM came into power in the 1986, it had failed to build any hospitals. It had also failed to manage the ones constructed during Obote’s regime.

“Museveni’s NRM in its 25 years in power has never constructed a single hospital. Museveni even failed to maintain and equip the national and regional referral hospitals to standards expected from what they were before the colonialists left them,” said Mao.

He added that when elected to power, his government would upgrade the current health centre IV’s into hospitals and equip them with theaters and modern equipment.

He attributed the poor state of the health sector to corruption practices by the NRM government.

Mao also said he would lead Uganda with non-corrupt practices so as to promote the quality of education. He said that this would be easy for him and his government if elected because the initial ideas of universal primary and secondary education put in place by the NRM was stolen from DP.

Mao promised to improve on national infrastructures like roads and schools and added that he would link major towns to major tarmac roads to improve on transport and communications in the Country.

He warned the NRM against intimidation.
“If you people vote for me, I will be sure that this election goes into a re-run, where I am sure that I will beat Museveni to the presidency,” said Mao.

Mao, who addressed a rally at Koc-Goma, later held rallies at Alero, Anaka and the Nwoya district headquarters before proceeding to West Nile region.

Mao to cut tax on fuel, scrap PAYE

2011-01-29T01:46:00.001+03:00

The Democratic Party presidential candidate, Mr Nobert Mao, has pledged to cut taxes on fuel and scrap pay as you earn tax (PAYE) on low salary earners.

Addressing rallies in Wakiso recently, Mao said the current government has fixed huge taxes on fuel and individual salaries which has consequently hiked prices for essential commodities in the country. He said it is also useless to tax salaries below Shs400,000 since it infringes on peoples’ purchasing power and ability to live a sustainable life.

“Uganda has the highest fuel prices in East and Central Africa because of high taxes. This is why essential commodities like soap and paraffin are too expensive,”
High fuel prices
He said “it is high time we changed the whole system and handover leadership to realistic leaders.” Fuel prices in most petrol stations have since last year shot up ranging between Shs3,300 to Shs3,050. Paraffin has risen to Shs2,200 while diesel to Sh2, 500 per liter.

However, a government official from the industry who preferred anonymity says that the high demand for petrol during the festive season spilled over into the New Year yet the pipeline capacity has not been upgraded to increase on its output.

The DP presidential flag bearer also pledged an overhaul in the education and health system where he would review the education curriculum, rehabilitation of staff and wage increment.

Free Namwanga Immediately or Take Her to Court

2011-01-26T21:46:00.000+03:00

STATEMENT BY DP PRESIDENT NORBERT MAO
Wednesday, January 26, 2011 After one week of not knowing where DP stalwart Annet Namwanga was being held I decided to mount a physical search by visiting JATT Headquarters in Kololo Summit View and later CMI Headquarters near Mulago. All our previous efforts had yielded no useful information. We spoke to several security officials but they were tight lipped about Ms. Namwanga.
At JATT the officer there simply brushed us off by saying "we also read about her in the papers". Obviously he was not willing to share information. On account of his rank (Captain) he was probably not authorized to talk. I contacted the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) where an official told me that he would "try to find out more information" and get back to me. I never heard from him.
We then contacted a senior CMI official. That is when we learnt that Annet was arrested from her place of work at Mulago in a joint operation with the police.
Ms. Namwanga is wife to Lawrence Kiwanuka, a journalist who was hounded into exile by persistent persecution. He is the immediate past President of the US Chapter of the Democratic Party and still sits on the branch executive committee. He is also a member of my campaign's fundraising committee and the Democratic Policy Study Group (DPSG). Ms. Namwanga is a quiet, unassuming and reliable person. On occasion she played the role of receiving funds from the US members on behalf of our party. The transfers, though regular, did not involve very large sums of money because most of the transactions are online via our websites.
We now know that the CMI handed Ms. Namwanga to the police but we do not know for how long they had held her and where. We have no idea of the charges but since she is being held alongside others, we suspect that it may be concerning alleged subversive activities. At least Lt. Col. Felix Kulayigye has given a hint about that.
No matter what crimes Ms. Namwanga is alleged to have committed, as a citizen of Uganda, she is entitled to protection by the constitution. By holding her incommunicado for one week, the security forces have violated her constitutional rights. Her right to due process has been violated. She has been denied access to a lawyer and to members of her family. I also requested to be allowed to visit her in detention but my request was denied.
We condemn in the strongest terms Ms. Namwanga's illegal detention and the uncouth manner of her arrest reminiscent of Idi Amin's dark days. We demand that she should be released immediately. If there are any charges against her, then she should be produced before a competent court immediately.
We are also concerned that Ms. Namwanga's arrest may be connected to her role in my campaigns and her being a spouse to an exiled dissident and strong critic of President Museveni and his regime. The timing and manner of Ms. Namwanga's arrest is clearly intended to strike terror in the hearts of opposition activists.
Ms. Namwanga must have her day in court. All allegations by the state must be tested in open court. The Democratic Party will stand solidly with her and provide the legal support to ensure a vigorous defence against all charges. We believe that Ms. Namwanga is innocent and talking about her alleged crimes in the media by the security forces is prejudicial to her case and undermines her right to a fair trial.
We call upon our members not to be intimidated. We must intensify our campaign efforts. We must innoculate our people against fear. We shall remain steadfast and unbowed. These are the last kicks of a dying regime and the birth pangs of the New Uganda we seek to build. A Uganda based on the rule of law and not the arbitrary law of rulers.

Norbert Mao, Esq.,
President
DEMOCRATIC PARTY &
Chairman
GULU DISTRICT LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Mao campaign official goes missing

2011-01-25T17:39:00.003+03:00

MISSING: Ms Namwanga.
A Democratic Party (DP) mobiliser has gone missing in what party officials say was a kidnap by persons dressed in military uniform.

Ms Annet Namwanga, an employee of Mulago Referral Hospital, was reportedly picked up by unidentified men in uniform at 2pm last Tuesday but her whereabouts were still unknown by press time.

Eyewitnesses say Ms Namwanga was last seen being involuntarily dragged by unidentified men towards a waiting vehicle which later sped out of the hospital gates.

Unconfirmed reports indicate Ms Namwanga is being held at the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force (JATT) headquarters in the upscale Kololo suburb, where she is being questioned.
“We were looking everywhere for her,” Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago told Daily Monitor yesterday. “When we first went to JATT headquarters, we were told she was not there. But later some good samaritans told us that she was being questioned in there.” By press time, police spokesperson Judith Nabakoba had no details on Namwanga’s whereabouts. “Please speak to the army spokesperson as we in the police dig deeper into this incident,” she said. When contacted, the Defence and Army Spokesperson, Lt. Col Felix Kulaigye, also said he was not aware of the incident. “I do not think that is true but I will find out,” he said.
Accusations
According to sources that preferred anonymity, funds for political mobilisation from DP supporters in the Diaspora have often been channelled through Ms Namwanga.

During the launch of the DP manifesto, Ms Namwanga reportedly handed an undisclosed amount of money to DP presidential flag-bearer Norbert Mao, which she claimed had been given to her by the latter’s supporters in the United States. This, according to sources, could have sparked off an investigation into her financial dealings.

Mr Mao has since confirmed knowledge of Ms Namwanga’s disappearance, describing it as dirty politics.
“I was informed of her disappearance and we want her released immediately,” Mr Mao told Daily Monitor on Friday.

Legal action
Ms Namwanga is wife of Lawrence Kiwanuka, a journalist critical of the government. Mr Kiwanuka is currently living in exile and chairs the DP –US Chapter.

“I am very worried about my wife’s whereabouts,” Mr Kiwanuka told this newspaper in a telephone interview from the US. “I was called by her sisters who told me how she was taken. They have no idea where she is. There is no formal notification from the police that she has been arrested.”
Mr Lukwago, who is also Ms Namwanga’s attorney, said he would file an application to have her immediately produced. “We are left with no other choice but that,” he said.

DP promises to take services closer to people

2011-01-24T00:54:00.004+03:00

By Emmanuel Mwaka Lutukumoi (email the author)
Posted Monday, January 24 2011 at 00:00

Norbert Mao

DP

Any ship without radar is a lost ship! A country without presidential term limits, a country where there are good policies, and laws but not followed, a country where districts are created each time there is a necessity to gain political patronage is a lost country!

Uganda is governed under a unitary system based on decentralisation. A well managed and implemented decentralisation system can move services closer to the people. The people elect their leaders at local levels. This makes them more accountable to the people they serve. But unfortunately under the NRM regime, decentralisation and district creation has become the epicentre of corruption.

Decentralisation comes with its pros and cons. Fragmentation of district in guise of bringing services closer to the people without plan is more dangerous than having none. Granting districts without the money to fund the administration does more harm to the populace, besides creating conflict. It’s like giving a plate of food without food!
According to chapter on sub-national development under the National Development Plan (2010-2014-15), the visionary foundation is a transformed Ugandan society from a peasant to a modern and prosperous county within 30 years. How can this be achieved with creation of myriads of districts without facilities. Many districts still harbour staff that sits/works in ramshackle structures or no structures at all?

How can it be achieved with institutionalised corruption where perpetrators go unmolested? DP will build a lean government that will ensure better service delivery with zero tolerance for corruption. Currently, creation of districts means bulging Executive and Parliament. From 56 districts that were there in 2002 to 80 in 2008, with the campaigns and Presidential pledges districts rose to something like 112. Due to bulky staff in created of districts, the President awards over 112 RDCs with their deputies!
This combined with Presidential advisers and other staff, the number is way above 300. The figure that goes to support the State House budget is far above Shs90 billion.

In order to build effective state institutions, DP will reduce the bloated public administration in Uganda. The Norbert Mao DP administration will put in place lean central and local government. We will review the Constitution within the first 100 days to grant federal system based on democracy and good governance. This will cut the waste and inefficiency in government.

DP pledges to stop the indiscriminate creation of public administration units, review and rationalise the appointment of RDCs and presidential advisers, run a public service focused on efficient customer service delivery; engage in career development of public service employees at the work place.
Since the enactment of decentralisation policy in 1993, Uganda was focused on sub-national development. DP will not make district creation a den of rewarding cadres but rather the people. Fragmentation of district is like digging a hole to fill a hole! It’s ridiculous! Sub counties must be supported through decentralised districts to have the basic facilities like a mini or fully fledged referral hospitals with adequate facilities. DP will ensure that jobs are created for the youth, and the people. A Norbert Mao administration will promote rural development. Sub-counties and counties will have the services they deserve.

When chasing a hyena, we are told to reserve energies in case it turns to chase us! Let’s be mindful of the actions we take now. If it’s not sustainable, the entire act will boomerang! Democratic Party will be the new beginning Uganda yearns for, not the old wine in a new bottle.

Mao attacks Nambooze on IPC support

2011-01-24T00:23:00.001+03:00

DP presidential flagbearer Nobert Mao addressing a rally at Mukono taxi park

By Henry Nsubuga

THE rift between the Democratic Party (DP) presidential flag-bearer, Norbert Mao and the Mukono municipality Member of Parliament, Betty Nambooze, has widened.

On Saturday Mao attacked Nambooze for supporting the Inter-Party Corporation (IPC) and independent candidates against DP candidates.

Mao described Nambooze as an inconsistent legislator who keeps on changing her statements.

Addressing a rally at Mukono taxi park, Mao accused Nambooze of presenting a list, while speaking on CBS radio, of people who have grabbed land in Buganda. He said Dr. Kiiza Besigye, the IPC flag-bearer, was one of them.

“The same person who short-listed Besigye among the people who grabbed Kabaka’s land is again the one backing him! Nambooze has to be serious,” he said.

“I talked to my sister Nambooze today morning on phone. I told her what she is doing is making us fools. We gave her the party flag for Mukono municipality parliamentary candidate. Why is she fighting DP candidates?” Mao asked.

Mao said Nambooze has continuously campaigned against him as the DP presidential candidate and other party candidates, causing chaos in the party.

“We treat everybody in DP equally. Althoug I am the party president, I am not bigger than any other member. How about Nambooze?” Mao asked. He advised Nambooze to stop singing that she was beaten and kidnapped to the extent of losing her life as she was fighting for DP, saying what she underwent is too minor compared to what people like Benedicto Kiwanuka experienced.

Mao asked voters in Buganda to stop tribalism if Uganda is to get a capable president.

“Criticising me because I am an Acholi is not good. I am DP’s presidential candidate, not Acholi’s presidential candidate,” he said.

Mao also attacked political candidates who put Kabaka’s picture on their posters, saying they are engaging the Kabaka into partisan politics.

He said the Kabaka supports everybody in Buganda and Uganda at large. Mao warned Buganda on people who pretend to be too loyal to the Kabaka, saying they are opportunists.

who will not be with in times of difficulty.

DP Campaign trail (Mukono) in Pictures

2011-01-23T22:28:00.003+03:00

Stay put, Mao tells Baruli

2011-01-21T00:40:00.003+03:00

Nakasongola

The Democratic Party presidential candidate Norbert Mao has advised the Baruli to give up President Museveni’s alleged divisive politics and remain united under the leadership of Buganda Kingdom. He said the current regime was playing the divide and rule politics to cling onto power at the expense of unity.

Addressing a rally in Nakasongola, the DP president said Mr Museveni is concentrating on promoting ethnic division as his campaign tool instead of explaining his manifesto.
“Don’t be deceived by Museveni that once you secede from Buganda you will be any better. You should remain united under the Kabaka of Buganda to develop,” Mao said, adding: “Buganda is an accommodating kingdom, that’s why every tribe is here and practices its culture freely.”

He warned that the politics of sectarianism would cripple the country and cause chaos in the future. “It’s like creating new districts; government is increasing the number of plates instead of increasing the volume of food on the plate,” he said.

Mr Mao described the ruling government as the most corrupt in the world and lacks the moral authority to manage public funds. He said government has failed to use anti-corruption measures to curb the problem, saying no Ugandan can trust them with oil money. “They are increasing abject poverty after failing to establish clear avenues to enable communities generate income,” he said.
Mr Mao said the proposed traditional leaders Bill should be withdrawn because it was brought in bad faith. However, NRM spokesperson Mary Karoro Okurut said she was “disappointed Mao is turning to smear politics”.

A day on Campaign trail with President Mao

2011-01-20T02:03:00.002+03:00

By Enock Mayanja Kiyaga
My first day on a campaign trail with President Mao was very interesting as summarized below.

I got in touch with Ronald Kato this Morning at around 7am and headed to Mao’s home in Ntinda, a Kampala surburb.

On arrival at around 7.30am, we met the campaign coordinator Elvis Kintu. We were later joined by the security and the rest of the crue. We kept chatting until the President General came out of his house. We were later joined by a senior DP official, Mr. Mujjuzi who gave the candidate a brief of the area, we were going to campaign in, which is a strong-hold for the ruling NRM which others call a “yellow zone”.

We set off for the trail shortly after 10am and headed for Nakasongola, an area which is embroiled in ethnic tensions with the Buganda government in central region where they are constitutionally located, and on many occasions their leaders have advocated secession. In 2008, the Kabaka of Buganda was blocked by government from visiting the area, claiming that he had to seek permission from the area cultural leader, which Buganda government does not recognise and insists he is a government creation in view of weakening by dividing the Kabaka’s subjects.

I was fascinated with the vehicle, that moves ahead of us dubbed “air force one”, with a team of around 7 vigorous, energetic and young men who mobilize people for rallies using whistles, vivuzelas and loudspeaker, inviting people for the mini- rallies and announcing the venue for the main rally which was in Nakasongola town. This group also moves around with a book in which they gather and register names and telephone numbers of the converts who offer to work as our polling agents and setting up party structures before and after the elections. The number of converts is quite impressive.

The first stop over was at Kakooge town where we found a very attentive audience. When Mao started speaking, the audience started to grow. Mao said that constitutionally Nakasongola is part of the Central region and the area is under the Kabaka who is a traditional leader with several cultural leaders including the one of Buruli who has a right to practice their culture without any interference.

Mao emphasized that Buganda is a nation with several ethnic groups who are free to practice their own culture without any interference from the Kabaka. He gave an example of himself an Acholi who lives freely in Buganda and is free to practice his culture. He made further reference to the Bagisu, who occasionally perform their cultural Imbalu dance, the clans and other cultural leaders without any interference.

Mao said the Kabaka of Buganda does not segregate and has never discriminated against his subjects arguing that the current tension is political perpetuated with President Museveni to divide and rule. Mao called upon the Baruli to reject Museveni and his politics in the next elections and embrace DP so that they can live harmoniously with the Baganda as it has always been.

He said, DP’s vision is to create a healthy Ugandan, who is educated and wealthy. He assured the residents that a peaceful change of power is possible if they cease to vote out fear. Mao told the attentive audience that Uganda will change whether Museveni likes it or not but Ugandans should use the forthcoming elections as an opportunity to have a peaceful change of government.

Mao also said, gone are the days for military dictatorship and Uganda is ready to return to full civilian authority by electing him as President in the forthcoming elections. Mao added that he’s a clean politician who will lead by example and his party DP has never committed any political sin.

The President further addressed other mini-rallies in Katuugo, Ssassira , Migyeera, Kalungi, Nalukonge in Bwabyata sub-county, Kabusombwa, Lwampanga, Zengebe, Kasenyi Landing site in Budyebo, Kibuye and main rally in Nakasongola town.

In all the rallies, Mao introduced himself as new to the Presidential race but not new to elective politics having defeated Museveni ministers and army generals. Mao also gave out his number in all rallies and people took it up and often called immediatelty after the rally to cross-check and spoke to the candidate, assuring him of their support.

People always kept asking for posters to pin up in their houses and shops. Mao also used the platform to identify with the voters but enumerating his humble beginnings and how he was able to achieve despite his humble begginings.

Mao assured the voters that when they vote for DP, there will no retribution to President Museveni and offered on behalf of DP to buy him modern recording studio as a retirement package to develop his new singing talent and look after his grand-children.

After the main rally in Nakasongola town, we headed straight back to Kampala .

Overall, the performance was so impressive and it was evident that we have made inroads in the yellow zone, by painting it green and white. I was so humbled by the zeal, commitment, vigour and spirit of the team on the trail despite the logistical challenges and I am looking forward to join the next trail to the neighbouring Nakaseke, Luweero, Kayunga, Mukono before heading to Busoga.

I want a new beginning - Mao on the future

2011-01-18T00:49:00.003+03:00

By Michael Ssali (email the author)

Posted Monday, January 17 2011 at 00:00

Democratic Party President General and presidential flag bearer, Norbert Mao, spoke to Michael Ssali about the coming election, his prospects and Uganda’s future. Excerpts:-

Q: What is your general impression of the campaign so far?
A: We are overwhelmed by the support we are getting. We even had a very successful rally in Rushere which is Museveni’s home. And the feedback we get is that our politics inspires confidence and does not frighten people. We have faced a number of problems in the campaign. Sometimes we have unexpected things like an accident that we had recently, but that did not stop us. Sometimes vehicles break down because of the bad roads. So you sometimes find yourself incurring very high unexpected expenditures. In some places, the Electoral Commission has interfered with our campaign schedules like in Ntungamo.
We also believe that the EC is biased in favour of President Museveni. He campaigns at night but the EC has never warned him. But when Norbert Mao is seen campaigning at one minute past six they want to portray him as someone who does not obey the election guidelines. But over-all the campaign has been good. We are running a strong campaign amidst all the challenges of a divided party, weak grass root structures and the lack of candidates in many places. Amidst all those problems, I believe we have given it our best shot, and the feedback is good.

Your father is an Acholi. Your mother is a Munyankole and you were raised and educated in the Central region and in Busoga, Eastern Uganda. Which one of these regions is giving you the greatest support?
It may surprise you that my base is not primarily ethnic. My base is generational; my base is a demographic base. There is an age group that identifies itself with me. That’s why I have about 15,000 supporters on Facebook. I have the best website. That’s why I am not so much bothered when the media deliberately ignores me. Because on average you can sometimes have over 40,000 people viewing my Facebook page!
The other base is that I have always been in the north. The north identifies with me and they know that no one else cares about peace and reconstruction than me. I also enjoy some linguistic advantages. I am fluent in many languages. When I was in Busia I was able to speak in Kiswahili fluently. When I am in Buganda I can communicate in Luganda. I speak Luo which is spoken in parts of Teso, Tororo, Lango and Acholi. I understand Runyankole perfectly and I can speak it although not as fluently as other languages. But I know enough of it to get the message across.
I am a non-threatening candidate because many people see me as a representative of their backgrounds – humble background, brought up in a village, but who has managed to achieve a lot.

You seem to be running a single issue and individual focused campaign --- Museveni, corruption, Museveni’s government, corruption …
We have a manifesto. So you cannot say we are not in the campaign for issues. But obviously in a ten minute speech you cannot speak about everything. Our core issues are national healing, which is the most important issue. Sudan is breaking apart. Uganda can run into that direction if we don’t learn to play inclusive politics. I have a very strong feeling about the demonisation of people from the north. I think that the core of my message is national healing and reconstruction. There is no tribe which is God ordained to lead a country. And to exclude one from leadership simple on the basis of their tribe that is a formula that is destroying Uganda.

Our second issue is clean government. Social services are not delivered because of corruption. And you cannot fight corruption if you are corrupt yourself. When Parliament was investigating the Chogm theft, the Vice-president brought a letter where the government was ordering him to divert funds. Even [Foreign minister] Sam Kutesa pointed fingers at the President. I think the President has no moral authority to fight corruption. Corruption is a very important issue because it is an illegal tax on people. There are other issues, like how to handle the oil wealth. We have an important agenda to ensure transparent handling of the oil wealth. We are afraid that President Museveni and his government may just become commission agents to the big foreign companies.

Now, what do you have to say about the persisting allegation that you and some of your close associates in the DP executive are a Trojan horse, planted into the opposition by President Museveni to serve his purpose?
I think the question is: Do I have the right to run for President as Norbert Mao? If I have a right to run for President then I think it is wrong and very cheap for anyone to say that I am anybody’s Trojan horse. The Democratic Party was founded in 1954. Museveni is not a founder member of the Democratic Party. And the agenda of the Democratic Party is to capture state power. Those who are peddling that line are running a smear campaign to portray us stooges of the NRM. But that will not work.

I have been a consistent opponent of the NRM from day one. Those accusing us are the ones who brought the NRM. I think DP has a right to present a candidate. DP has a right to vie for power. Because if Dr Besigye is elected is it

Norbert Mao who will be sworn in? If FDC takes power will it be a DP candidate to lead?
I have heard lots of rumours including those who say my wife works in State House. My wife has never worked in State House. They thought DP should always be a passenger in their vehicle. But this is now a new DP which is more aggressive and anybody who attacks us should run for cover. We will fight back very aggressively. And I have found no evidence of secret dealings with the NRM or Museveni by any of my members in the party leadership.

I am the Chairman of Gulu Local Government and I have official dealings with the government. I think we should campaign on issues. Of all the candidates no one has caused more casualities to the NRM than me. I am the one who threw out the late Noble Mayombo from student leadership in Makerere. I am the one who defeated Cabinet Minister Betty Bigombe when I was still in my 20s. Recently, I threw out Col. Walter Ochora. Is it Museveni who sponsored me to defeat his ministers? I want a new beginning for Uganda. There are those who see my candidature as a threat to them.
But this is a general election. It is the people to decide. I have heard a lot of stories about [our national legal adviser Mukasa] Mbidde. I have investigated and found that they are based on their relationship with Ssebaggala. Ssebaggala was Besigye’s chief campaign mobiliser at one time.

Supposing we had a Kenya situation or Zimbabwe, would you share power with Mr Museveni?
I am not in politics just for myself. I have read in the papers where I am described as extremely ambitious and so on. But I am not as power hungry as some of the leaders we have in this country. I don’t see any reason why I should compromise my ideals and join a government which I know cannot accommodate my views. I believe that if anyone like me is to work together with President Museveni, it has got to be a different dispensation. It cannot be this kind of dispensation because the situation in which we are now many of us cannot survive. It is like mixing oil and water; the two cannot mix.”

There is a feeling, especially in urban areas, that the elections will still be rigged even next month and so it is no use bothering to vote ...
Some of the candidates in this race are also going around discouraging the voters. Assuming you are the hunter and you wake up in the morning and you pick up the hunting gear, the spear and all the other equipment, obviously you go into the hunting ground knowing there are wild animals out there. There are snakes and unpredictable situations. But you set your objectives. The candidates who keep saying the elections are going to be rigged should get out of the contest. They are the ones demoralising the voters. In fact they are playing into the hands of the NRM. The NRM too has also resorted to that kind of talk and it is that which will lead to low voter turnout and if we have low voter turn up then Museveni will emerge on top. What we need is to inspire voters. How can a person like me go to Gulu which has the biggest barracks in Uganda and dare a whole cabinet minister and get her out of Parliament? This is not a time for lamenting. It is the time for inspiring our troops to go forward.I have won elections against so many odds. I believe we can win against odds. What we need is a plan to counter rigging. That is why we will have poll watchers and citizens’ committees for protecting the vote. That is why we are insisting that after voting we should have a display of the voting results for two weeks so that we know where the voting stations from which the votes came from and look at all the signatures. We are mobilising international opinion in favour of that.

We believe there could be non-existent polling stations. We even doubt if the voters register does not still have ghosts. Mathematically, it is very difficult to think of 14 million voters out of a population of 33 million and where we say that close to 60% of the population are children. Mathematically, it does not add up, there is something wrong with that. We have challenged them on that. Then they said they removed over one million ghost votes from the register; who put the ghosts there in the first place?
Museveni is busy bribing voters and no one is talking about him, he is like a player to whom the referee has surrendered the whistle and the cards. If you tackle Museveni, he blows the whistle.

That should be the referee’s job. If you tackle Museveni then you hear that he has shown you the red card. How can a fellow player also flash a red card at you? It is a David and Goliath contest but the odds are in our favour. What we only need is stronger leadership from the opposition.

The campaigns have become greatly monetised. Recently each NRM parliamentary flag bearer was given Shs20 million for campaigns.
The NRM goes around arm-twisting investors and other rich people. Some of its people go about blackmailing investors and telling them the amount of money each is supposed to contribute and they tag a threat to such statement like: You know the President is watching who has contributed and who has not. And, of course, Museveni is also going around spending public funds. He goes around tampering with the budget.
Even in Gulu he had made some pledges, then he didn’t have the money then he wanted us to divert Shs170 million out of our district budget to meet those pledges. We wrote back and said that this is money that the central government sent for a specific purpose. We have passed our district budget. We have allocated this money. Even the contracts have been awarded. So we don’t have the money. State House arm-twisted the Ministry of Education to tell Gulu District to divert the money.

Museveni is doing that in the weaker districts. They have no way to resist it. The other day he went to Gulu and announced a new district called Oket. He knows how districts are created. Districts are not announced by the president through political announcements on the roadside. Districts are created by resolution of the council. So, after that the PS of the Ministry of Local Governments wrote to Gulu District saying, “Can you send the resolution you passed requesting a district? And we said we have never requested a district. So, Museveni is now stuck with his pronouncement.

State House has arm-twisted Parliament to provide him with millions of shillings and that should explain to you the illegal sources of NRM funding. If Ugandans succumb to the bribery and the intimidation by NRM then they should not complain. They will continue to be victimised until they wake up. I condemn very strongly the criminal manner in which the NRM has raised money through illegal encroachment on the public coffers, through blackmail of the people, the business community.
And the Electoral Commission should be condemning this. The fact that they are not condemning it means that they are accomplices of Museveni’s corrupt electoral practices.

Election Platform: Why a DP government will be loved not feared

2011-01-18T00:38:00.003+03:00

DP AGAINST CULTURAL LEADERS BILL

2011-01-14T01:35:00.000+03:00

THE National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Democratic Party (DP) has asked the Government to withdraw the traditional and cultural leader’s Bill, saying it is unnecessary. The party’s top organ, which sat in Masaka on Monday, observed that the country has enough laws to regulate traditional leaders, adding that the Bill is designed to crack down specific cultural leaders. The contested Bill seeks to effect Article 246 of the Constitution, which regulates the conduct and operations of traditional and cultural leaders. Addressing a press conference on wednesday at DP offices in Kampala, the party’s deputy spokesperson, Kenneth Kakande, said the decision by NEC to demand for the withdrawal of the Bill was taken after extensive analysis of the Bill. “Deletion of clauses is not enough. The Bill should be withdrawn in its totality,” Kakande said. According to Kakande, NEC, which was chaired by Muhammad Beswale Kezala, also accused President Yoweri Museveni of usurping the powers of Parliament in order to pass the Bill. The president last month directed Cabinet to delete clause 9 (2), which provides for traditional leaders to rotate as titular heads of a regional government in regions where there is more than one traditional leader. The clause, according to the President, was smuggled into the Bill by unknown individuals. Besides the deletion of clause 9(2), the chairperson of the Buganda MP’s caucus, Rose Namayanjja, on Monday told the press that the President had reportedly agreed to delete a number of clauses in the Bill. During a Sunday night meeting between the President and NRM MPs from Buganda, Museveni reportedly agreed to drop clause 4(3) of the Bill which outlaws compelling a person to pay allegiance to anybody installed as a traditional or cultural leader. The President also reportedly agreed with a proposal from MPs to drop the clause that sets conditions for recognising a traditional leader and grounds for withdrawing the recognition. The MPs, according to Namayanjja, further agreed to drop clause 8, which spells out the jurisdiction of cultural leaders. During the same meeting, the MPs proposed that a list of recognised traditional leaders in the Bill be dropped because it places the Ssabaruuli at the same level with the Kabaka of Buganda. The president reportedly agreed to the proposal.

MAO CAMPAIGNS FOR EDDIE YAWE

2011-01-14T01:33:00.000+03:00

By Andrew Ssenyonga and Eddie Ssejjoba
DEMOCRATIC Party (DP) presidential candidate Norbert Mao on Wednesday abandoned his campaign programme in Mpigi district to canvass votes for the party’s Kampala Central flag-bearer, Eddy Yawe, at Mengo Social Centre. Mao said many DP youth had abandoned the party due to leadership wrangles and joined other parties like the NRM and FDC. He urged them to return ‘home’, saying things had normalised. Mao told voters in Mengo to shun the NRM candidates because they were liars. “Do not throw away your votes to people who have lied to you for over 25 years. They will do nothing for you,” he said. He urged voters to support Yawe and other party flag-bearers in Kampala district. “Yawe is the only person suitable for the seat because he knows Kampala quite well,” Mao said. On the Government relationship with the Buganda Kingdom, Mao said Buganda was the focal point for all monarchies in Uganda and anything that affects it spills over to other cultural institutions. He said that a serious government ought to handle Buganda issues with care. Yawe promised to set up income-generating projects for the youth and to fight for the rights of ordinary citizens. Other party flag-bearers at the rally included Charles Sserunjogi, who is contesting for the LC3 seat and Woman MP aspirant Ketty Asabaawebwa.

MAO PROMISES ONE MILLION JOBS

2011-01-13T02:13:00.000+03:00

THE Democratic Party (DP) presidential candidate, Norbert Mao, has promised to create one million jobs for Ugandans if he becomes president. He made the promise yesterday while launching his manifesto at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala. Mao promised to initiate measures to build houses for public servants including soldiers and policemen. “In the course of building houses for the over 500,000 public servants, and through other public works, more than one million jobs will be created,” Mao explained. He also said his government would provide lunch for school children. Mao promised to implement this through direct support to farmers who will contribute a portion of their harvest to the school-feeding programme. All schools, Mao said, would have sufficient desks within one year and classes would reduce to an average of 50 pupils per class in three years. Identifying the agriculture and the health sectors as foundational pillars of Uganda’s development, DP promises to increase the national budget of each by 15%. Mao pledged to upgrade health centres to well facilitated hospitals within five years. The party will also spearhead a national reconciliation agenda to ensure unity. Mao promises to re-instate presidential term limits and guarantee the independence of each of the three organs of state for sound democracy. The party pledges a government of zero tolerance to corruption. Mao lashed at the Inter-Party Cooperation, saying it lacks the necessary political bases to win the elections. “The Kenyan coalition worked because the groups that came together had strong regional bases, which is not the case with IPC.” Mao said unlike Col. Kizza Besigye, who lacks a home base, he has the support of the Northern region. “In 1996, 2001 and 2006, the Northern region voted against President Yoweri Museveni. Since I have been the one fighting for their rights and wellbeing, they will vote for me,” he argued. Mao also claimed to have the support of down trodden ordinary Ugandans, Buganda region and the youth. He dismissed media reports and polls putting Museveni at 67%, saying they are overrating him. “I have traversed the country, but I don’t see the support for Museveni portrayed by these polls. Even in Western Uganda where he has previously been getting overwhelming support, his support has gone down. It is not likely that Museveni will win the election,” Mao said.

NOBERT MAO CAMPAIGNS FOR SSEKIKUBO

2011-01-13T02:11:00.000+03:00

THE Democratic Party (DP) presidential candidate, Norbert Mao, surprised NRM party supporters in Lwemiyaga county, Sembabule district when he campaigned for the NRM parliamentary flag-bearer, Theodore Ssekikubo. During a rally in Ntusi trading centre and on several stopovers in Lwemiyaga on Tuesday, Mao lamented DP’s lack of candidates in Sembabule district. “We shall officially announce the DP favorite candidates from other parties in Ssembabule district, since we do not have our party candidates here,” he said. Mao, who addressed rallies in Ntusi, Mitima, Ssembabule and Mateete town councils, said he admired Ssekikubo’s bold stand on truth. “Ssekikubo always sticks to the truth, which is one of the DP ideals. “In fact we support him and we have no problem if you vote him back to Parliament,” Mao said. Ssekikubo, who officially starts his campaigns next week, is to face his arch-rival, Patrick Nkalubo (independent). Ssekikubo beat Nkalubo in the NRM primaries with a difference of three votes after a vote recount in the constituency. Reacting to Mao’s support, Ssekikubo yesterday said Mao is a seasoned politician, who has served Parliament as MP, Gulu district as chairman and now his party, with distinction. Despite being the DP leader, Ssekikubo noted, Mao never shies away from appreciating President Yoweri Museveni where he performed. “In the same way, where I have made a mark, he is not shy to mention it. He has a right and I have no quarrel with it, although I remain strongly committed to my party and urge all people of goodwill to join it,” he said. Partisan politics, Ssekikubo added, should not blind Ugandans from their main agenda of developing the country. In the 2006 elections, DP presidential candidate Ssebaana Kizito campaigned for the Ssembabule district chairman, Herman Ssentongo, since the party had not fielded a candidate in the district. In Bukoto East in Masaka, a prominent NRM supporter, Hajji Bull Katale, campaigned for DP candidate Florence Namayanja against NRM’s candidate and ICT minister Alintuma Nsambu, citing the latter’s arrogance and vanity. Mao, who was accompanied by the party secretary general, Mathias Nsubuga, regretted that Ssembabule district residents were still loyal supporters of the NRM party, even when they still lagged behind in development. “When I was coming here, I thought the Masaka-Ssembabule road was tarmacked. To my surprise, the road is in a sorry state. Be careful because President Museveni makes empty promises,” he said. Mao asked Ssembabule residents to vote for him because DP will give the Kabaka and the Buganda Kingdom total protection. He promised to help Museveni go back to Rwakitura with a gift of a modern music studio, since he has of late developed a love for rap music,” he said, attracting deafening laughter from residents in Ssembabule town council. Mao accused President Museveni of failing to fight corruption, citing the CHOGM incident, in which Vice-President Gilbert Bukenya attributed some of the mistakes done to Museveni, who authorised some of the deals.

NRM MAN CAMPAIGNS FOR DP CANDIDATE

2011-01-12T01:25:00.000+03:00

HAJI Bull Katale, an NRM supporter, has called on voters in Bukoto East to support the Democratic Party flag-bearer Florence Namayanja. Katale is also the Buganda Kingdom representative in Buddu region. This was during the campaign launch for Namayanja at Kitengesa trading centre in Buwunga sub-county, Masaka district on Monday. Namayanja, who is the outgoing deputy mayor for Kampala, is facing the ICT state minister, Alintuma Nsambu, who is the NRM flag-bearer. Justine Juuko, the former US-based professional boxer, who is the Inter-Party Cooperation flag-bearer, is also standing for the same post. Katale drew cheers from the crowd when he asked them to vote for President Yoweri Museveni and Namayanja at the same time. “You all know me very well as a staunch NRM party supporter. However, this time we shall not tolerate MP Nsambu who does not have any respect for our Kabaka and the kingdom. Let us vote President Museveni and Namayanja, who have our king at heart,” he said. Katale said Nsambu was a wasteful leader, who preferred to go to his constituency in a hired helicopter, while the residents languished in poverty. The Rev. Christopher Wasswa, a priest attached to Kako Cathedral in West Buganda Diocese, also prayed for Namayanja to win. “We pray to the Almighty God to bless our candidate Namayanja to register success in these elections for our constituency to flourish,” he said. Wasswa said Bukoto East lacked accessible roads, safe water and electricity to improve people’s living standards. In Lango, the Catholic and Anglican bishops have suspended two priests for engaging in active politics. Namayanja said she had already embarked on self-help projects that would enhance the incomes of women in the constituency. She said she had also contacted friends in Sweden, who would provide toilets for the elderly. Nsambu, who also held rallies in Matanga and Mpungwe trading centres in Mukungwe sub-county, said he had supported schools by distributing computers. He said he also assisted needy children and orphans. Nsambu said he had already constructed a modern secondary school in Nkunke, his home village, and had more developmental projects for the constituency and Masaka municipality. He promised to revive the lost glory of Masaka region.

MAO BANS CITY LAWYER FROM USING DP LOGOS

2011-01-11T00:58:00.000+03:00

DEMOCRATIC Party (DP) president Nobert Mao has asked a Kampala lawyer, Damian Lubega, to stop using the party name, symbol and colours. Mao said it was wrong for Lubega to refer to himself as DP’s flag-bearer for Kyotera county in Rwakai district yet he refused to apply for the party ticket before nominations. “We know him as one of the party supporters, but I would like to clarify that Lubega is not our candidate for Kyotera. He defied the party rules,” he said. Mao was on Friday responding to complaints raised by the residents that DP had two candidates for the seat. “We do not know who to vote for on the DP ticket because Lubega is saying he is the party’s favourite, although John Mary Sebuufu was given the party ticket,” one of the residents said during a rally at Kyotera Old Taxi Park. Mao warned the residents against listening to DP candidates who joined Ssuubi, a pressure group that is supporting FDC’s Kizza Besigye. He added that he was sure DP would win in the general elections and warned that he would call for a head count if there were reports of rigging. He held rallies at Bukunda, Nakatoogo, Lwanda, Buyamba, Lumbugu, Rakai town council, Kibaale Kooki, Sanje, Kyotera town council and Kalisizo.

DP's YAWE PROMISES TALENT DEVELOPMENT TO REDUCE POVERTY

2011-01-11T00:55:00.000+03:00

THE Youth in Kampala Central will have their talents developed as a means of fighting poverty, Eddie Yawe has promised. Yawe, who is the Democratic Party candidate for Kampala Central parliamentary seat was addressing a rally in Mengo-Kisenyi on Thursday. He said previous leaders had forgotten about talent development as one of the things that can improve the country’s economy. “We have seen many Ugandans emerge through their talents. Many youth have different talents, but these need the good will of their leaders to be developed,” he said. Yawe cited many musicians, footballers, artistes, models and comedians among others, who had started small businesses from which the country earned revenue. He also promised to support small scale enterprises in the city. “There is need to reduce taxes imposed on these businesses. If foreigners are given tax holidays, why not our own people?” Yawe asked. Yawe, popularly referred to as ‘music producer’, said many people in Kampala were working in poor conditions that threatened their health. “Kampala Central has been poorly managed by KCC leaders who continue to extort money from traders. I cannot accept that,” he added. He said he would lobby for a gazetted area near town for street vendors.

NAMBOOZE FACES DISCIPLINARY ACTION FOR SUPPORTING BESIGYE

2011-01-11T00:51:00.002+03:00

Mukono MP Betty Nambooze has been given up to January 12 to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against her by the Democratic Party (DP).
Speaking at a rally in Masaka on Saturday, the DP president, Mr Norbert Mao, said Ms Nambooze faces disciplinary action because as a member of DP, she cannot campaign for Dr Kizza Besigye, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leader and the presidential candidate for the Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC).
“When she campaigned to go to Parliament,” Mr Mao said, “Mr Kizito Ssebaana, many DP executives, and I went to Mukono and we participated in her campaign as a fellow member of the DP.
She declared publicly that she recognised me as the president general of DP and that I should expect her support in the bid to become President of Uganda. Now the same Nambooze has been going all over saying she belongs to DP but asking everybody to support Dr Kizza Besigye to become President.”
Mr Mao said Ms Nambooze and the former Buganda prime minister Joseph Mulwanyammuli, recently “embarrassed’’ the people of the Acholi region when they went there with Dr Kizza Besigye and they declared that all the people of the central region had decided to support Dr Besigye’s bid for presidency.
“The people they were telling this had just returned from the internally displaced peoples (IDP) camps and had not forgotten yet the role I played to get them out of those camps which often involved my going on foot to the forests of Congo to sweet-talk Kony and resigning my position of MP to become district chairman (Gulu) because I wanted to be closer to them and to be part of the process to get them out of the IDP camps,” he said. “There now was Nambooze telling them not to support me, and vote for Dr Besigye and still claiming to be a DP member!” he said.
Mr Mao said the IPC is a loose relationship which cannot work. “It has even almost disowned Michael Mabikke in his bid to become mayor of Kampala and Dr Besigye is at a loss whether to support Erias Lukwago or Mabikke when it is well known that Mabikke is president of a political party,” he said.
Mr Mao criticised the Buganda pressure group Suubi, which he described as a doomed small group. “How can Mulwanyammuli claim that he and Suubi made an agreement with Dr Kizza Besigye that when he wins, Buganda will get all her demands fulfilled? Such an agreement cannot be binding since Mulwanyammuli in his present capacity cannot sign any agreements on behalf of Buganda.

DP WILL BE TRANSPARENT IN MANAGING PUBLIC MONEY

2011-01-11T00:47:00.001+03:00

The biggest challenge to any development is implementation! Uganda’s economy lags behind because we have many good policies, but poor managers of State resources. These have been marred by the zero sum politics where power is over concentrated in the Presidency.
The budgetary allocations under the Democratic Party will correlate with the need of the populace not the regime as it is now. For example Agriculture constitutes 80% of the livelihood of every Ugandan yet the budgetary allocation is less than 10% but defense spending is higher in many instances.
Whereas billions are swindled in corruption, the government always pleads for a subsidiary budget. Yet according to the African Peer Review Mechanism, Uganda can save Shs30 billion yearly if corruption can be confronted.
Uganda is in a Catch-22 situation with an NRM administration that has outlived its implementation strategies with a stagnant manager without new ideas. Uganda needs a new beginning. The Democratic Party will ensure accountability and zero tolerance to corruption.The 1980s IMF structural adjustment programme that came along with retrenchment and privatisation did no good to the citizens.
The NRM government emphasised privatisation while making it a preserve of foreigners and a few cardres. The government is running away from its responsibilities by adopting a mentality of sell it all! The NRM government now abdicates its responsibilities to private companies.
The Democratic Party will have business to do business. Most public goods are sold off like Uganda Commercial Bank, the Uganda Electricity Board that has in turn made the lives of Ugandans miserable through high tariffs charged by the successor private entities running the energy sector.
The Democratic Party believes that government can manage the budget well and as well have strong control on strategic sectors that directly affect the citizens. If Eskom that today runs electricity under Umeme, the Kenya Commercial Bank that has over 11 branches in Uganda are government of South African and Kenyan government partner bodies, why can’t Uganda control public goods and rescue Ugandans from exploitation?
Democratic Party through private public partnership will ensure a smooth running and growth of the economy and transparently manage public expenditures as allocated, designed and set to transform the economy. It’s all about leadership. The ultimate strategy is to have regime change. When organisation is to function, when all institutions are set free to operate and all the checks and balance in governance take their course, then the ills in the management of public affairs can be eradicated.
Democratic Party will ensure that government takes charge and invests in such public goods as railways, water transport, electricity and other sectors of economy that are pertinent to national growth. Our economy is recorded as growing at 7%, but with external debt burden est. at $2.05 billion (31/12/09) against a GDP of $5.8 billion in 09/10 (having fallen from $7.2 billion in 08/09). Uganda is still heavily indebted. The foreign debt is over 35% of GDP. Every Ugandan therefore has a debt of about $90.
To ensure effective management of public expenditure, the Norbert Mao administration promises a lean government, a government that will be small enough to manage public good with maximum accountability and transparency. The best answer requires the best formula. That is a new beginning with Mao.
Mr Emmanuel Mwaka Lutukumoi, National Spokesperson Democratic Party, wrote this article on behalf his party leader.emmwaka@yahoo.co.uk

DP CANDIDATE FOR KAMPALA CENTRAL AT GLANCE

2011-01-09T02:38:00.000+03:00

WHEN he sang Tugende e’Kampala two years ago, local politicians aspiring for the Kampala Central parliamentary seat should have taken notice. They didn’t. Now, Eddy Yawe has made a startling arrival to claim the Kampala MP’s slot and the other aspirants are on their toes. For more than 15 years, Ugandans have known him as a music producer and brother to local musician Bobi Wine. Yawe’s candidature for the seat appears like another bad joke sprung on the electorate: a musician for MP? Can the Democratic Party really be serious? Yet Yawe managed to pull a fast one on the fiery incumbent Erias Lukwago when DP delegates anointed the novice over the well-known lawyer as flag-bearer for the 2011 elections. Backed by hundreds of supporters chanting his name at the Christ the King hall were the primaries were held, they endorsed the musician over the seasoned legislator and advocate. While many people think Yawe’s only link to politics was being the brother to the president of the fictitious Republic of Uganja, he dredges up a political history. Yawe says both his father and grandfather belonged to DP for decades. He says that as a first year student at Makerere University in 1996 he composed the song Olubengo and campaigned for former DP president Kawanga Ssemogerere when he ran for president in 1996. He also campaigned for former Kampala mayor and DP president Sebaana Kizito in 2006. Yawe also supported Lukwago in 2006 but is now one of those who decry the incumbent’s penchant for protest at the expense of his constituents’ development. Ssebaana Kizito has backed Yawe’s bid, telling voters that musicians make good leaders because they are creative problem solvers. His opponents are not quick to dismiss his potential. They know that this is an electorate that has voted radio DJs, under-educated candidates and dramatists in the name of ‘our man’. In an age where even the president and his principal private secretary are wooing voters of every shade with music, Yawe is not misplaced. In fact he might be at an advantage. Yawe does pose a strong threat. It is why people suspect the incumbent Lukwago avoided the competition and instead went to compete for the mayorship of Kampala. The 37-year-old producer and is one of the godfathers of local music production, having nursed most of the producers at his hit-making Dream Studios in Kamwokya. Primarily his business is music, but Yawe has proved to be quite an astute businessman in this. He is banking on his personal entrepreneurship past to show that he has new ideas that will take the city to desired heights. He wants to fight poverty in the city using new approaches. Perhaps Kampala is ready for a different kind of representative, one who can be practical in delivering solutions rather than politicking without tangible results, something they blame the incumbent for. While he has declared intentions to fight for Buganda’s causes, some are not convinced about Yawe’s zeal for the Kingdom. Yawe believes he is well-armed with contacts from developed countries like the Netherlands and the US where he has done studies in music, radio and television production. He plans to use these contacts to fund and spur modern developments in the city. Many musicians and music fans will rally behind Yawe whose campaign rallies are already turning out like free concerts when his popular brother Wine joins the trail. His opponents, Inter Party Co-operation’s Muhammad Kibirige Mayanja and National Resistance Movement’s Mohammed Nsereko are in the difficult position of sharing the Muslim vote. This could leave the narrow gate open for Yawe to run through easily. Compiled by Esther Namugoji

CIVIL SERVICE GRAFT IS AIDED BY MUSEVENI, SAYS MAO

2011-01-08T04:27:00.001+03:00

Lwengo
Corruption in government institutions is thriving because President Museveni is also corrupt, Mr Norbert Mao has said. The DP presidential candidate said Mr Museveni is one of Africa’s most corrupt leaders, considering that he always lets tainted ministers get away with their loot.
“President Museveni is responsible for the mushrooming corrupt tendencies in the government departments. He has failed to tame his corrupt ministers and whenever they are questioned about the money they swindled, they just point at President Museveni,’’ Mr Mao told a rally at Kyazanga town on Thursday.

Messed probes
Mr Mao wondered why whenever the government institutes an investigation into corruption, the chief suspects always meddle with the probe. The World Bank estimates that Uganda loses over Shs500 billion annually in graft, most through skewed procurement processes. In recent months, the question of how money meant for the 2007 Commonwealth summit was abused formed central discussion after a parliamentary probe implicated about eight top ministers in the scandal.
However, when the report was tabled before Parliament, MPs chose to absolve the suspects—with Security Minister Amama Mbabazi and junior finance minister Jachan Omach getting the first reprieve. On talk of cultural leaders, Mr Mao, without naming individuals, said some leaders were hoodwinking the public that they love the Kabaka, and yet they are driven by other selfish motives.
Mr Mao said only his party will return Buganda’s property and grant the region a federal system of governance. He said it is high time President Museveni retired honourably and went home to look after his grandchildren. The DP, Mr Mao said, would guarantee Mr Museveni security and provide him with other basics in retirement.
Speaking to excited supporters, Mr Mao promised to get the President a brass band and other music equipment to kick start a music career. According to Mr Mao, President Museveni is a gifted rapper. The President’s folklore rap titled Mpe Ekoni is a popular song, getting lots of airplay on radios.
Earlier in the day, Norbert Mao first held a rally in Katovu trading centre where he revealed that if elected President, he will improve universal education, timely salary payments to nurses and doctors, construct roads and fight corruption. He added that he is the only eligible candidate who is ready to bring change in the country because other candidates are not transparent.
Agriculture funding
The current government, Mr Mao said, was only injecting about 5 per cent of the resources into agriculture—and favouring rich farmers. He promised to increase the sector’s allotment to 15 per cent of the budget and also revive cooperatives. He said that Democratic Party government will establish agro-industrial banks for farmers to enable them access low interest agricultural loans.

DP's MAYANJA GIVING LUKYAMUZI SLEEPLESS NIGHTS

2011-01-08T04:26:00.000+03:00

By John Semakula
WHAT John Ken Lukyamuzi, the Conservative Party (CP) President, thought was going to be child’s play is turning out to be a wrestling match. Lukyamuzi is fighting to reclaim the Rubaga South seat, which he handed over to his little known daughter Suzan Nampijja in 2006. One of the factors giving Lukyamuzi headache is the clout the Democratic Party (DP) candidate, Vincent Mayanja, seems to have in the constituency. Rubaga is predominantly a DP constituency and the party is pushing to reclaim it. Although Mayanja is new to elective politics, his campaign strategies are novel. During rallies, the veteran journalist focuses on issues affecting the constituency, while Lukyamuzi resorts to political comedy. Whereas people in Rubaga used to fall for Lukyamuzi’s comics, this time they seem to be listening to Mayanja’s arguments. The other factor working against Lukyamuzi is that the electorate is wary that he wants to turn the constituency into a family property. Lukyamuzi and his daughter Nampijja have represented the constituency for the last three terms. In 2006 when he was blocked from contesting for elective offices by the Inspector General of Government for breaching the Leadership Code, Lukyamuzi fronted Nampijja, who won the seat. When Lukyamuzi won the court battles, he returned to politics and Nampijja shifted to Makindye East constituency. This is in contrast to Lukyamuzi’s criticism of African leaders who run governments like families. By remaining in politics and sending Nampijja to Makindye, his opponents say he is no different from those leaders. Others in the race include the NRM’s Farida Mayanja, a journalist working with Beat FM in Kampala. And Bukenya Kawonawo, an independent candidate.

I WAS PART OF THE PEACE PROCESS IN THE NORTH, SAYS MAO

2011-01-06T14:40:00.000+03:00

By Patrick murangira
THE democratic party presidential candidate, Norbert Mao, has said he helped president Yoweri Museveni end the war in the north by holding peace talks with the Lords Resistance Army leader, Joseph Kony. Addressing a rally at Kabale taxi park on Tuesday, Mao said if he had not convinced Museveni to talk peace with Kony, the war would still be going on. He added that Museveni spent 20 years fighting with Kony in the north, which made development in the region lag behind other parts of the country. Mao said many soldiers were deployed to fight Kony but they failed because he was recruiting youth. Mao said the president had fought many wars and, therefore, needed to leave politics and retire. He observed that Museveni had spent 20 years fighting Kony and was now wrangling with Buganda Kingdom and fighting the Karimojong. He said the president had also failed to sack corrupt ministers, adding that he did not trust him to handle money from oil. Mao explained that, with money from oil, Museveni would be like Libya’s leader Muammar Gaddafi and refuse to hand over power.

THREE HELD FOR STEALING MAO'S CAR RADIO

2011-01-04T00:31:00.000+03:00

Police in Hoima District are holding three police officers over allegations of stealing a radio from Democratic Party presidential candidate, Mr Norbert Mao’s car.
The constables allegedly broke into Mr Mao’s car which is grounded at Hoima Police Station from which they stole its radio. The midwestern regional police spokesperson, Ms Zurah Ganyana, confirmed the arrests.
“They will be charged in the police’s disciplinary court and later be criminally prosecuted in court,” Ms Ganyana said on Tuesday.
Daily Monitor has learnt that the Police Standards Unit is scrutinising the evidence to be lined up in the police’s disciplinary court while the Hoima officer in-charge of criminal investigations, Mr Ramathan Doka, is compiling criminal evidence against the suspects for prosecution in the civilian courts.
Day of arrest
Ms Ganyana said the accused were arrested on December 23 after detectives realised that two radios were missing from Mr Mao’s Land Cruiser and a Toyota Carib parked at the police station.
Mr Mao’s car is still grounded at the police station after it got involved in an accident near Hoima Town, slightly injuring the DP leader last month.The suspects held are those that were on night duty on the day before the radios were detected to have been stolen.
However, the three policemen have denied the accusations labelled against them.

MUSEVENI CANNOT WIN NOTHERN UGANDA ,SAYS MAO

2011-01-04T00:27:00.000+03:00

The Democratic Party presidential candidate, Mr Norbert Mao, has dismissed claims that President Museveni has gained support in northern Uganda.
While addressing a rally in Kamwenge Town Council on New Year’s Day, Mr Mao said there is no way the people of northern Uganda will vote for Mr Museveni since he brought insurgency in the area that claimed lives and property. “Museveni is deceiving himself that he has double support from northern Uganda. Last time he managed to get 11 per cent but the people of the north haven’t forgotten the pain they went through during insurgency brought by Museveni himself,” he said.
In the last three elections, the President and his party have performed poorly in the north and north-eastern parts of the country where many believe the war was deliberately enforced by the NRM.
Some observers, however, say with the rebel LRA defeated, President Museveni’s fortunes could turn as part of the peace dividend. This view though, is contested by those who look at the widespread poverty, poor social services, disease and deprivation that still haunt the region as determining factors in influencing voter opinion.
Speaking in Luganda, Mr Mao said: “As per my manifesto, I want to focus on changing the system of education by putting more emphasis on technical education as opposed to the NRM’s universal education programme.”

I HAVE BETTER IDEAS THAN MUSEVENI, SAYS MAO

2011-01-04T00:26:00.000+03:00

DEMOCRATIC Party presidential candidate Norbert Mao has said he has better ideas than President Yoweri Museveni. Appearing on the Sunday Talk show on Radio West, Mao said Museveni was not the only person to lead the country. “Ugandans should not think that President Museveni is the only person with a vision to run this country, I have better ideas.” He promised to start a housing scheme for teachers, soldiers and the Police. “Our plan is to equip teachers, soldiers and the Police with incentives because we don’t want family members of Government workers to suffer,” Mao said. He also promised free lunch for every pupil under the universal primary education system. “Museveni introduced free education but forgot to provide lunch for pupils and this has affected their performance. No pupil can concentrate on an empty stomach,” Mao added. He said he would give farmers subsidies to grow maize and beans and have it stored at district level so as to provide more food. Mao hailed Radio West for its programmes aimed at development, health and education which he said had benefitted the community.

MAO WANTS RESULTS DISPLAYED AT POLLING STATIONS

2011-01-03T02:47:00.000+03:00

By Fred Turyakira
DEMOCRATIC Party (DP) presidential candidate Norbert Mao wants the Electoral Commission to display election results at every polling station for two weeks to avoid vote rigging. Addressing supporters in Mbarara town on Thursday, Mao said there was need for a new mechanism to fight vote rigging by displaying results at every polling station. He said if the Electoral Commission chairman, Eng. Badru Kiggundu, did not control vote rigging, he would call on his supporters to display their voters cards and resort to a head count. “We know we are in a democratic crisis where President Museveni is dictating for the Electoral Commission to announce the results that he wants. This time we shall deal with him,” Mao said. He urged supporters to stop thinking that Besigye was the only person with a chance of defeating Museveni because he was a soldier. “Those who still believe in guns should forget because we need democracy with a relationship between leaders and voters. We need to use our resources to get us out of poverty and not importing everything from abroad,” Mao said. He said he was the only candidate who could defeat Museveni after FDC’s Kizza Besigye challenged him twice and failed. “Museveni fears me. He knows how dangerous I am and I can defeat him because of my past winning record against NRM party members,” Mao said. “In 1996, I defeated former Museveni’s cabinet minister Betty Bigombe for the MP seat. I also defeated Col. Walter Ochola in 2006 for the Gulu district LC5 seat. After defeating the colonel, I am left with defeating General Museveni,” he said. Mao also accused Museveni of failing to end corruption in Government institutions. “Museveni has failed to control corruption in this country because he hobnobs with corrupt ministers. People who were frustrated with former president Dr. Milton Obote and thought Museveni was a liberator are in darkness,” he added

DP WILL CHANGE UGANDA'S FACE

2011-01-03T02:43:00.001+03:00

Uganda’s regional policy has been arrogance, wars and aggression. It is epitomised by the 1979 war, the aggression and war in Rwanda in 1994 by Rwandan-Uganda Generals purportedly supported by Uganda, the Congo invasion in the 1990s with devastating effect on the image of Uganda, the ‘legitimate’ war on the LRA and now Ugnada’s presence in Somalia.
The latest terror attacks that dogged the country at the eve of the World Cup celebrations in 2010 claiming tens of lives in Kampala would have been avoided.
The terrorists claimed they were revenging against UPDF stay in Somalia. The zero sum politics and the bypass of Parliament made it possible for the Somalis to imagine it is not AMISOM but UPDF in Somalia. To appease western powers, the NRM goverment opted to push UPDF and popularised it as a Ugandan initiative.
To the extent that Ugandan Generals in Somalia were threatening real war on Al Shabaab as opposed to the AMISOM peacekeeping mandate in Somalia. The NRM government has used foreign policy as a bait to cling to power. The American interest in Sudan, the British Interests and the other world powers interests on democracy can be compromised by strategic interest!
For instance, whenever Western powers get tough on Uganda, our government threatens partnership with suspicious Iran, brings in China and Gadaffi’s Libya.
The Democratic Party will change Uganda’s foreign face. Uganda’s support to the SPLA, legitimate or not, forced Sudan then to support the LRA menace. The arrogance and militarism in our current leadership made it possible for war to flourish in Northern Uganda, a war that could have been avoided through dialogue but claimed thousands of lives, displaced millions across the world and above all spread across East and Central Africa further denting our image for the past 24 years.

The LRA war was big bait, a war that in 2003 alone ate over $1.3 billion through different operations. Corruption flourished as junk choppers, ghost soldiers became the order of survival of some unscrupulous fellows in charge of the war. DP will revisit our foreign policy and regional strategy. With the coming referendum in Southern Sudan and possible independence of the south, Uganda will be at the centre and a player in the next challenge in Sudan.
Our government will make it possible for the good governance principle of checks and balances to take its course in international relations to suit our character of a peaceful and strong economic bloc of East Africa and the Great Lakes region.
With oil discoveries, and with President Museveni ruling with no term limits and the Constitution tampered with, Uganda needs Norbert Mao with a strong DP foreign policy and oil policy that will spare our country from the oil curse that has be-devilled many oil economies.
In a nutshell, the Democratic Party realises that the country’s objectives of economic development, social welfare and democracy, is inextricably bound to the international economic, social and political settings under the present conditions of globalisation.
DP’s foreign policy will be premised on regional and international cooperation to protect the country’s vital interests and for mutual socio-political and economic benefits focusing on accelerating greater integration within the East African community, energy security, strengthen relations with Europe, South-North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Russia, the Middle East-India, China and countries of south east Asia and Australia.
Mr Emmanuel Mwaka Lutukumoi, the DP National Publicity Secretary, wrote this article on behalf his party leader.

MAO BLAMES ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF MUSEVENI BIAS IN NTUNGAMO CAMPAIGN

2011-01-02T10:57:00.002+03:00

Kampala/Mbarara
The Democratic Party presidential candidate, Mr Norbert Mao, has petitioned the Electoral Commission protesting what he called President Museveni’s interference in his campaign programme.
In a petition dated December 29 to the EC chairperson, Dr Badru Kiggundu, Mr Mao said he was scheduled to campaign in Ntungamo District on December 29 according to the official EC programme only to be told that President Museveni was going to campaign there.
“According to the programme unanimously approved by all presidential candidates on October 29 2010, I was scheduled to be in Ntungamo District today (December 29). The programme also schedules candidate Yoweri Museveni to be in Ntungamo (today) and yet he was there from yesterday,” Mr Mao stated in the petition.
Guidelines
According to the EC guidelines issued to the presidential candidates, a candidate is required to spend one day in each district. Two candidates are barred from campaigning in the same district on the same day.
Mr Mao claimed that candidate Museveni colluded with some of the EC staff who altered the programme to suit the NRM candidate. “This morning, we spoke to the Vice Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Mr [Joseph] Biribonwa, and we raised our complaint. He told us that we should check the online version of the presidential campaign schedule where the programme has been amended to show that today we are not in Ntungamo but instead are supposed to be having a rest day. All this is new to us,” Mr Mao complained.
No notification
DP’s Secretary General Mathias Nsubuga, according to Mr Mao, was never notified about the changes in the schedule. He said: “....the Electoral Commission deleted our programme in Ntungamo and never made provision for another date. This means the Electoral Commission does not expect us to campaign in Ntungamo at all.”
Ntungamo District is Mr Museveni’s birthplace. Currently his wife Janet Kataaha Museveni is the MP for Ruhaama County which is in the same district.The Electoral Commission spokesperson, Mr Charles Ochola said Mr Mao was being unfair to the EC. “I think candidate Mao should be more direct to his objectives. The programme we have here says candidate Museveni was supposed to be in Ntungamo District on December 29. According to our programme, Mao was supposed to be in Kabale District on December 29. We are working on the old harmonised programme and connivance cannot happen,” Mr Ochola said.
Mr Mao has demanded that the Electoral Commission apologises to them and also amend the programme. “We also demand that a meeting of all candidates’ representatives be convened to review and harmonise the campaign programme,” reads the petition in part.
Meanwhile, Mr Mao, who visited Mbarara Hospital yesterday, expressed concern over the poor conditions patient subjected to. The patients at the hospital, many of whom sleep on the floor due to shortage of beds, said they also compete for space with rats.
“Instead of coming for treatment, you are getting more iffected. I am very worried, especially over new born babies in this hospital,” Mr Mao said. Mr Mao accused the government of not caring about people’s welfare.

DP LEGAL ADVISOR SURVIVES ACCIDENT: BLAMES GOVERNMENT

2010-12-29T00:10:00.001+03:00

The Democratic Party Legal Advisor, Mr Mukasa Mbidde, yesterday said he will sue the government for an accident on the Kampala-Masaka Road on Monday that left him and several others injured.
According to the police, one person died on spot in the accident that was blamed on reckless driving. The accident which occurred at 5pm at Kamengo, involved three vehicles.
Mr Mbidde, a DP flag bearer for Kalungu East Constituency, said: “I am going to sue the government for compensation of my car because it was not my fault.” His Mercedez Benz car that he said is valued at Shs110 million was damaged in the head-on collision. He said the accident occurred when a State House vehicle and another belonging to the Ministry of Agriculture made a sudden and an unindicated stop while driving in front of him.
Blame games
“I was heading to Lukaya when the two vehicles that were ahead of me abruptly stopped blocking the road,” Mr Mbidde said, adding that since the vehicles were following each other and at a moderate speed, there was no way he would have avoided the accident.
Mr Mbidde said his car is insured but not on a comprehensive risk, so government has a part to answer during compensation. He wants Shs70 million for the damage to his car. But the Central Region police spokesperson, Mr Lameck Kigozi, who was at the scene, blamed the accident on Mr Mbidde’s reckless driving.

DP TO SUE GOVERNMENT OVER TRADITIONAL LEADERS BILL

2010-12-29T00:07:00.000+03:00

The Democratic Party (DP) has said it will sue the government over the cultural leaders Bill, 2010. DP Deputy National Spokesperson Keneth Kakande yesterday said the party National Executive Committee (NEC) has assembled 10 lawyers led by the party legal adviser, Mr Mukasa Mbidde, to challenge the Bill in the Constitutional Court.
Mr Mbidde said the Bill causes disharmony and encroaches on the people’s rights to honour and show loyalty to their traditional leaders. “We can’t sit back and relax when government is mixing up issues. There is no reason why Mr Museveni is creating term limits on our cultural leaders when they are not playing a political role,” Mr Kakande told journalists yesterday in Kampala.
But Internal Affairs Minister Hajj Kirunda Kivejinja on Sunday said absence of such a regulation was responsible for the unnecessary clashes between the government and cultural institutions, citing the September 2009 riots in Kampala.
The Bill, among others, seeks to operationalise Article 246 of the Constitution and bans traditional leaders from engaging in partisan politics.
Mr Kakande said DP will participate in demonstrations organised against the Bill and will provide legal support to any Ugandan ready to oppose it.

MAO TO BUY MUSEVENI MUSICAL EQUIPMENT AS RETIREMENT PACKAGE

2010-12-28T22:57:00.003+03:00

I am a healing President, Mao tells Kisoro Democratic Party Presidential candidate Norbert Mao has said Uganda is full of scars and wounds and therefore needs a healer who can mend the torn society. He pledged a transparent national reconciliation plan that will help Uganda rise above it's dark episodes. In reference to Museveni, Mao said any repentant person can be forgiven. He assured the residents of Kisoro that Museveni will not be persecuted. "I am not in this contest to witch hunt Museveni. I have no vendetta with Museveni. I am only in this contest because Uganda deserves better. When I defeat Museveni he can return to Rwakitura and tend to his cattle and look after his grandchildren", Mao said. He sent the gathering into prolonged laughter when he promised Museveni a send off gift of a fully equipped Recording Studio in order to help the President pursue his newly found musical talents. "We should not waste talent. In order to help President Museveni pursue his musical talents, I will offer him a send off gift of a fully equiped recording studio", Mao said as the crowd roared with laughter.

DP READY TO TAKE POWER, SAYS MAO

2010-12-27T11:10:00.000+03:00

The Democratic Party presidential candidate, Mr Norbert Mao, has said he has redeemed one of the oldest political parties in the country. Mr Mao said under his leadership, the Democratic Party has been empowered to take over the presidency of Uganda.
Last week, Mr Mao toured the southwestern district of Kanungu and pitched camp at Kihiihi Central Market, where he addressed a rally. He said although he was new to the people of Kanungu, he was not new to politics.
“My 10-year experience in Parliament and five years as LC5 chairperson of Gulu gave me knowledge and insight to successfully lead Uganda,” he said.He said the experience enabled him to understand national politics and to empathise with the challenges of local governance.
Mr Mao said it was through his experience that he is able to understand the extent of injustice and poverty in Uganda. Once in power, he pledged, he would abolish trading licences for small business owners.
He also promised to revise the tax structure to ensure more taxes for high-income earners and to abolish tax for anyone earning less than Shs400,000 a month.
“The unfair taxation system in Uganda is suffocating the growth of small businesses,” he said. The DP candidate also addressed the more localised needs of the people in Kanungu. He said it was appalling that the district does not have a tarmack road linking it to the rest of the country.
Mao vowed that if elected next year, he would connect all districts in Uganda to each other through quality tarmack roads. He said this would encourage trade and the growth of agriculture across the country. The DP president used his Kanungu campaign to once again blast President Museveni and his government for their failings.
He said Mr Museveni’s leadership of the country and the National Resistance Movement would not stand the test of time and that in the future the party would crumble.
Mr Mao accused Museveni of mismanaging the country and that if he becomes Uganda’s next president he would set up a reconciliation committee to openly address people’s grievances and to foster unity.

DP ISSUES AN ULTIMATUM TO POLICE

2010-12-24T14:04:00.001+03:00

The Democratic Party (DP) has given the police and courts in Jinja a one-week ultimatum to act against the National Resistance Movement mayoral candidate for alleged electoral offences.
The party claims Mr Majid Dhikusooka, who is also the district NRM vice chairman, was caught red-handed tearing the posters of one of his opponents, Mr Mohamed Baswari Kezaala, at the Police Barracks round-about in Jinja on December 4.
DP officials in a December 22 letter signed by the party’s acting district legal advisor, Mr Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, said they want the candidate arrested or they will be forced to stage a protest.
According to the electoral law, a person caught destroying election campaign posters on conviction, is jailed for not exceeding one year or asked to pay a fine of Shs480,000.
Mr Mufumbiro stated they had learnt that the Jinja resident state attorney had closed the case against Mr Dhikusooka. “We wish to state that this exoneration was out of all the doctrines of justice, rule of law and manifestation of moral decadency by the resident state Attorney,” the letter reads.
“We give the police only seven days and if the matter is not handled to its conclusion, we shall have a peaceful demonstration in pursuing the matter,” the DP district chairman, Mr Samuel Kitanda, said at a press conference in Jinja town on Wednesday. However, DPC Jonathan Musinguzi warned the party against involving the police in political battles.

SSEBAANA BACKS MUSICIAN YAWE'S PARLIAMENTARY BID

2010-12-24T14:02:00.000+03:00

Former Democratic Party [DP] leader John Ssebaana Kizito has backed local musician Eddy Yawe for the Kampala Central Division parliamentary seat.Addressing a rally at Kamwokya on Tuesday, Mr Ssebaana, a former Kampala mayor, said: “Some people think that musicians are useless in societies, but I can assure you that they can make better leaders. They are so creative and quick at solving problems.”
Mr Ssebaana urged DP supporters not to vote for party members who decided to contest as independent candidates after losing in the party primaries.“We should support our own candidates in DP who went through clear internal primaries. Whoever I am backing in this race must be the rightful party contender,” he said.
Recently, DP president Norbert Mao advised defiant party members to adhere to the party rules saying nobody was bigger than the party. The party opted to support Mr Micheal Mabikke as its mayoral candidate against former party legal adviser Erias Lukwago.
Mr Yawe, the DP flag bearer, is contesting against NRM’s Muhammed Nsereko and IPC’s Kibirige Mayanja. Mr Yawe pledged to unite Kampala, advocate the youth and women rights and fight laws which are not favourable to the people.
“I will also block regulations which target to fight Buganda and cripple the Kabaka of Buganda and other traditional leaders,” Mr Yawe said.

MUSEVENI TARNISHING IMAGE OF WESTERNERS, SAYS MAO

2010-12-24T02:18:00.000+03:00

The Democratic Party presidential candidate, Mr Norbert Mao, has said President Museveni has tarnished the image of people from western Uganda.Addressing a rally in Rukungiri on Wednesday, Mr Mao said because Mr Museveni, his relatives and friends from western Uganda are allegedly embezzling public funds and amassing wealth, people from the region are wrongly accused of participating in the vice.
He said Mr Museveni and his close associates have amassed wealth through corruption, leaving people in the country in abject poverty. The DP leader promised to exempt people earning less than Shs400,000 per month from Pay as You Earn tax, adding that the NRM government is over taxing people.
Museveni accused
Mr Mao said every region has a reason to deny Mr Museveni votes, adding that he has mismanaged the country. He said Mr Museveni has little support in the north because he failed to protect residents against the LRA rebels who killed, abducted and maimed many people.
Mr Mao added that in Busoga, people are experiencing a jigger infestation because of poverty and government neglect. He asked the youth not to pay attention to Mr Museveni’s rap song, which he described as “funny song’’, saying it was aimed at misleading them.
“When Museveni raps “Mpe nkoni”, he is asking for a stick to punish you as young people. He has been punishing you silently but this time he has come out openly asking for the stick to cane you,” Mr Mao said.
Calls for support
The DP candidate asked Rukungiri residents to support him, saying he is capable of defeating Mr Museveni in the elections. He told residents to change President Museveni’s campaign slogan from pakalast to palalost Supporters of Mr Museveni are using pakalast as one of their campaign slogans on top of no change.
Pakalast is a promotional phrase for a telecommunication company

RESTORE OBUGABE, MAO CHALLENGES MUSEVENI

2010-12-23T10:40:00.002+03:00

Mutooma, Tuesday 21 December 2010: Democratic Party candidate Norbert Mao has said he takes great exception to Museveni's hypocrisy in supporting the institutions of traditional leaders everywhere else while undermining and sabotaging that in Ankole. Mao said that before the British forged the Ugandan state, communities were held together by traditional institutions. Mao pledged that DP would support the Obugabe in Ankole.
He pledged that unlike Museveni he would not undermine any tradional institution. Mao said that there is no basis for fearing traditional institutions because they are now constituional monarchies subject to laws put in place by democratically elected leaders. Mao said Museveni's supression of traditional institutions is motivated by his despotic ambitions. "Museveni's support for traditional leaders is purely self-serving and opportunistic. Deep in his heart he has only contempt for traditional institutions and their heads." Mao said.
Mao was speaking to residents of Mitooma Town Council on Tuesday. He said was committed to showing Ugandans that it is possible to have change without bloodshed and chaos. "Let Museveni be the last President to walk on blood and to jump over deadbodies on his way to State House." Mao said.

MAO CRITICISES CREATION OF NEW DISTRICTS

2010-12-23T10:38:00.000+03:00

The Democratic Party (DP) presidential candidate, Mr Norbert Mao has said creation of new districts is hurting service delivery in all sectors.
Mr Mao, who addressed several rallies in Mitooma District in Ankole sub-region on Tuesday, said: “Giving you a district is like being handed an empty plate without food. Even if you get a district, without quality basic services, then you are better off without it.”
Power tariffs
Mr Mao added: “The youth do not need raps, they want employment. Your MPs should stop thanking Museveni for the districts created because you vote them to serve your interest and not those of the President.”
The DP presidential candidate said if elected, he will reduce power tariffs by merging all companies in the electricity business into one as it used to be under the Uganda Electricity Board.
“Power is expensive here and cheap in Rwanda and Kenya where we export it because the electricity board was split into three other companies. All these companies are out to make money and that is why our tariffs are high,” he said.Mr Mao said he will eradicate corruption in the country.
He said he will tarmack all roads when he is voted into power. Mitooma is one of the three districts carved out of Bushenyi. The others are Buhweju and Sheema

MAO TO REVIEW TERMS ON FOREIGN INVESTORS

2010-12-23T08:52:00.000+03:00

Written by Edward Ssekika
Wednesday, 22 December 2010
Foreigners doing business in Uganda will have to adhere to a strict code of conduct if the DP presidential candidate, Norbert Mao, is elected president in next year’s elections.
Mao says he plans to impose tough conditions on foreign investors often accused of abusing the rights of local people they employ.
Mao told his supporters in Fort Portal municipality on December 14, that if elected, he would reduce on tax incentives currently enjoyed by foreign investors and restrict their investments to particular sectors of the economy.
He accused the NRM government of promoting foreign investors but marginalizing local ones. “The NRM government has an unfair policy of promoting and protecting foreign investors at the expense of our local investors. Government has been giving benefits in form of tax holidays, free land to foreign investors, but our local investors struggle on their own with no tax cuts, tax holidays and free land,” Mao said.
He added: “As DP, we want this to change as soon as we take over government.” He wondered why despite all the incentives, foreigners invest in small retail businesses that would otherwise be reserved for Ugandans.
“Why should government give a tax holiday and free land to a foreigner to put up a hotel? There are many Ugandans with standard hotels already; such benefits like tax cuts, tax holiday and free land in the Norbert Mao government will, instead, be extended to a local investor to expand their investments,” he said.
DP investment policy, Mao said, would not allow foreigners to engage in retail businesses. Mao noted that some investors in Uganda today are not worthy of being to be called foreign investors, arguing that they are also engaged in petty businesses.
He describes the current government policies on foreign investment as weak and promoting dependency.
“Foreign investors shall not be allowed to carry out petty retail business—retail business shall be left only and only to Ugandans,” he added. Citing the example of United Kingdom and the US, Mao said in those countries petty and retail business is restricted and left in the hands of citizens.
“In UK or USA, for example, if you are a foreigner and you want to start making and selling chapatti, you will not be allowed. You will be told that engaging in such business is only a privilege of the natives of that country,” he added.
There have been growing public concern that foreigners were investing in retail shops and supermarkets that do not employ local people and as a result rendering more Ugandans who would do such businesses unemployed.
Mao promised to set up a fund, the Citizens Economic Empowerment Fund (CEEF), to support local entrepreneurs.
To ensure that foreign investments offer employment opportunities to Ugandans, Mao says he will ensure that certain jobs, which can be performed by Ugandans are not given to foreigners.
He says some foreign companies have made it a policy that all managerial positions are occupied by foreigners.
He pledged to extend electricity to all rural areas and cut power tariffs to make it affordable to the poor. He reasons that extending power to rural areas and cutting power tariffs will encourage development and create jobs.

TORO DESERVED MORE FROM NRM SAYS MAO

2010-12-21T11:57:00.001+03:00

The Democratic Party President, Norbert Mao, has accused the NRM government of marginalising the people of Toro despite their contribution to the 1986 liberation struggle.
Addressing a campaign rally in Fort Portal on December 15, Mao said he was surprised that there are only two ministers from the sub-region and yet other sub-regions which did not contribute to the struggle as much have more ministers.
The two ministers from the region are Adolf Mwesige, the minister of Local Government, and Aston Kajara, the state minister for Investment.
In 1984, Katebwa sub-county in Bunyagabu county was used by the Yoweri Museveni-led National Resistance Army as a launch pad for capturing Toro sub-region from government forces. It was also the first headquarters of the NRM government in the bush.
Mao says that if the region was effectively represented in the cabinet, the ministers would lobby for development. He also says it is a big surprise that the region is not developing and yet northern Uganda which has been at war for over two decades is developing.
He promised that if elected, the region would get a share of the national cake commensurate to its role it in the liberation struggle. Prior to the rally, Mao carried out door-to-door campaigns in the villages of Ruteete sub-county, Rwimi, and Kichwamba.
He criticised the government for neglecting the region’s two great schools, St Leo’s College Kyegobe and Nyakasura School. These two were once some of Uganda’s finest education institutions but today they perform poorly in national examinations.
Residents of Fort Portal that The Observer spoke to, had mixed reactions to Mao’s remarks. Reste Kabagayi agreed with the DP candidate on the issue of Toro’s marginalization.
She said the government is taking the people of Toro for granted, seeing that it is a stronghold of the party in power - NRM. Kabagayi also agreed that Toro should be rewarded for helping the NRA liberation struggle.

MAO MAO REVOLUTION IN KASESE

2010-12-21T11:56:00.000+03:00

DP’s Norbert Mao addressing supporters at Kabatunda trading centre in Kyabarungira sub-county, Busongora in Kasese district on Thursday last week.

DP VICE PRESIDENT STARTS CAMPAIGNS IN MASAKA

2010-12-21T11:53:00.000+03:00

DEMOCRATIC Party president Norbert Mao has urged Masaka municipality voters to elect the party vice president John Kawanga in the coming Parliamentary elections. In a message read by Matia Mujuzi at the launch of Kawanga’s campaigns at the Children’s Park on Sunday, Mao said Kawanga was among the most trustworthy members of parliament. “Some people went to parliament as businessmen and this was proved at the time when they accepted a sh5m bribe to remove presidential term limits,” Mao stated. He added that since Kawanga studied with President Yoweri Museveni and was his friend he would have taken any position in President Museveni’s government. “I believe Kawanga would be the vice-president if he wanted to become one, but since his ambition is to see a democratic and peaceful Uganda, he declined to join the NRM party,” Mao added. Kawanga wondered why some people had launched a campaign to tarnish his name. “Whenever they pick up microphones they concentrate on abusing Kawanga. They have failed to tell what they would do for you while in parliament, instead they are talking about my age,” Kawanga said. “Despite being true Catholics, some of my critics need to be reminded that the Ten Commandments prohibit adultery, stealing and telling lies among others,” Kawanga added. Kawanga is facing former Buganda youth minister Mathias Mpuuga, Sande Mutesasira, Suzan Nakawuki and Francis Xavier Kizza Mujoobe for the Masaka Municipality parliamentary seat.

MUSEVENI AND BESIGYE FEARS ME, SAYS MAO

2010-12-16T23:40:00.000+03:00

The Democratic Party presidential candidate, Norbert Mao has said President Museveni, Col. Kiiza Besigye among other candidates in the race fear him.Addressing residents of Kasese Town Council this morning, Mao said Museveni, Besigye … fear him because of influence among the youth. He has caused laughter when he stated that Museveni and Besigye shout Mao’s name at night when dreaming.Mao says he has much influence among the

MAO PROMISES PEACEFUL HANDOVER

2010-12-16T23:34:00.000+03:00

By Hope Mafaranga
THE Democratic Party (DP) presidential candidate, Norbert Mao, has said there will be a peaceful handover of power after the 2011 elections. “We want Museveni to go peacefully but not the way he came to power through bloodshed,” Mao said. Mao was addressing his supporters at Kiko, Rwihamba in Rutete sub-county, Rwankyenzi in Kasenda sub-county, Kasunganyanja and Rwimi in Kabarole district and in Fort Portal municipality. Mao said when the National Resistance Army then led by Yoweri Museveni captured power in 1986, they used guns and many people died. Mao urged the people of Toro not to reject him but to look at his abilities and leadership skills. He said that once voted into power, he will be a bridge to unify Uganda. He said if Museveni, wins the election genuinely, he would be the first person to congratulate him but if he rigs, Uganda would become too hard for him to rule. Mao told security agencies to stop intimidating his supporters and gave the fans his hotline 0772885688 to report any case of intimidation. The retired bishop of Rwenzori diocese Eustus Kamanyire urged Ugandan to use their votes correctly.

SUNDAY VISION QUOTES MAO OUT OF CONTEXT

2010-12-16T23:31:00.000+03:00

KAMPALA, Tuesday 14 December, 2010:
Democratic Party Presidential candidate has strongly refuted a Sunday Vision story where he was misquoted to have said Museveni was in the lead."The intention of the story is to demoralize our supporters by making a false projection of a Museveni victory in the presidential elections. I do not believe that Museveni will win the elections. No one has a commanding lead as of now and a run-off is almost inevitable.", Mao said on Monday from Kyenjojo where he began his tour of the Tooro region."I could not say Museveni is in the lead because he is not in the lead. What I always say is that Museveni has the soccer ball (state power) and we are going to grab it from him. That is why we are tackling him." Mao said.Mao said that while Museveni enjoys advantages of incumbency, that will not guarantee him a victory. He denounced the Sunday Vision for distorting his views and quoting him out of context."Text without context is pretext. I gave the New Vision a lengthy interview but they chose to quote me out of context.", Mao wrote on his Facebook page on Sunday evening.Mao assured his supporters to remain steadfast in the face of media bias and distortions. He singled out the New Vision as a paper whose front page is now dedicated to promoting Museveni and undermining his opponents.

MAO REFUTES THE SUNDAY VISION STOTY

2010-12-16T23:30:00.001+03:00

By Andrew Ssenyonga
THE DP presidential candidate, Norbert Mao, has said none of the candidates has a commanding lead and a run-off is inevitable. Mao was reacting to the Sunday Vision story where he was quoted as saying that President Yoweri Museveni was in the lead. “Text without context is pretext. I gave New Vision a lengthy interview but they quoted me out of context,” Mao said. He added that he could not say that Museveni is in the lead because he is not in the lead. “What I always say is that Museveni has the soccer ball (state power) and we are going to grab it from him. That is why we are tackling him.” Mao pointed out that while Museveni enjoys advantages of incumbency, this will not guarantee him victory

MAO TO BUILD DRUG FACTORIES

2010-12-16T23:28:00.000+03:00

By Hope Mafaranga
THE Democratic Party (DP) Presidential candidate, Norbert Mao, has said that if elected into power in 2011, he will build factories to manufacture drugs in order to reduce medical costs for Ugandans. Mao said many Ugandans were dying from various diseases because they could not afford treatment since drugs were too expensive “Most drugs we use are imported and expensive. If you vote me into power, I will build drug factories to reduce the burden of costs you incur for treatment,” he said. During a rally at Kyenjojo Taxi Park in Kyenjojo town council, campaigning on Monday, Mao, who is in the Rwenzori region, said factories would create employment for the youth. Mao also said DP would train the youth in information communication and technology in order to compete in the global job market. He also addressed his supporters in Kasaba in Kyarusozi sub-county and Kyamutunzi in Nyankwansi sub-county, in Kyenjojo district. He said his government would make sure that foreign investors gave jobs to Ugandans, adding that Uganda Investment Authority had failed to create jobs.

MUSEVENI CAN'T WIN, SAYS MAO

2010-12-16T23:12:00.000+03:00

Fort Portal - Even if the incumbent were to massively rig the February 18 general elections, he wouldn’t win, according to the DP presidential candidate, Norbert Mao.
Mao’s remarks came days after he proclaimed that Yoweri Museveni, the NRM candidate, was leading the race, with him (Mao) in second place.
But he told a rally in Fort Portal municipality on Tuesday that President Museveni cannot win the 2011 elections because he has lost his critical support. Museveni, he added, has been rigging to win.
“I’m going to defeat him for his own good; this hoe is our symbol, it has come for him. The hoe will uproot him and finally bury him; he cannot escape it,” Mao said in his trademark oratory.
“Trust me, Museveni cannot win this election. He no longer has a strong support base. He lost the support of northern and eastern Uganda, now Buganda and even western Uganda has problems with him; where is Museveni’s support base now?” Mao told the crowd at Kisenyi.
He added that Museveni will not get the required 51% to gain an outright victory. Accusing Museveni of condemning the people of northern Uganda to internally displaced persons’ camps for two decades, Mao said the IDPs cannot vote for him now, much as they are out of camps.
Mao, who spoke in a mixture of Luganda and Runyakitara, said: “First of all, he is the one who condemned us into IDPs, now he expects a thank you, but instead we are asking him why he condemned us to the camps. We cannot vote him.”
He added: “I defeated his minister when I was 28 years with only Shs 60,000 (Gulu municipality Parliament race). I defeated his colonel (Walter Ochola, in the Gulu LC-V chairman race). I have now come for him - the general, no shortcut. I will defeat him too.”
Rigging fears
At the Kisenyi rally, Mao warned of vote rigging and unveiled DP’s vote guarding strategy. He said the party will have four officials at every polling station.
Mao added that the party officials will not only append their signatures on the declaration of results forms but also a thumbprint. A thumbprint, he argued, cannot be forged like a signature.
He also said that DP is pushing the Electoral Commission to declare and display the results at the polling station soon after vote counting.
He warned of bloody consequences should the election be rigged. “If the election is rigged, we shall stage mega protests until it is nullified. I will personally lead the demonstrations across the country because I’m a veteran in protests,” he said.
17 public universities
Mao pledged to overhaul the education system and create market oriented courses. He said the current system mainly produces white-collar job seekers and not job creators.
Mao promised that DP would re-construct what he called historical schools, arguing that such schools united Ugandans on top of providing quality education. Giving himself as an example, Mao said he learnt Luganda because he studied at Namilyango College in Wakiso district.
Still on education, Mao told his supporters at Kasende trading centre in Ruteete sub-county that his government would launch 17 new public universities within his first term as president. He said this would boost the quality of education. Uganda currently has five public universities.

WHO IS NOBERT MAO

2010-12-14T16:20:00.003+03:00

By Adrienne S. McCord

Norbert Mao is the leader and Presidential Candidate of the
Democratic Party of Uganda. He is also the current Chairman of Gulu
District in Northern Uganda. Prior to this he loyally served for ten
years as a Member of Parliament. As the political leader of the most
war affected area in Uganda, he has remained ever vigilant and engaged
in peace building and reconstruction efforts. He is a charismatic
leader with an unbeatable record of successfully delivering on his
political promises.
In 2011 Norbert Mao will be the next president of Uganda.
Norbert Mao, a centrist who focuses on democratic reform, peace-
building and moderate politics as the centerpiece of his crusade,
casts himself as a bridge between the north and south; he is best
poised to bring national healing as the new president. His blessed
double heritage of an Acholi father and a Munyankole mother places him
across the divide that has defined the ethnic north-south mantra since
1986. A gifted orator in many languages, Mao speaks fluent Luganda
English, Kiswahili and Luo. He also has a working knowledge of several
other Ugandan languages including Lusoga, Runyankore.

Mao's candidature is also symbolic of the primacy of civilian rule
over military dictatorship. Uganda still remains one of the few
countries that have never had a peaceful handover of power. In Uganda,
change of government has always come with guns blazing or guns drawn.
In February 2011 DP President Norbert Mao will prove that government
can and will be changed peacefully through the power of the ballot,
without bloodshed.

President Mao is more than qualified for the highest political office
with two decades of leadership experience and multiple degrees in law
and development studies. He is an enrolled Advocate of the Ugandan
Courts of Judicature. In 1998 he was honored among ten attorneys of
distinction by the Uganda Law Society. In addition he is in a select
group of those honored as a Yale World Fellow and proud graduate of
the prestigious Yale Global Leadership Program which he attended in
2003/04.

He has a track record of successfully attaining his goals and being
elected into leadership positions by those who recognize his ability
to lead. The people of Uganda consistently keep him in office because
Norbert Mao puts his words into action.

Norbert Mao is a born leader. His quest to serve others began when he
was still in Magwa Primary School where he led the Debating Team. At
Namilyango College he was again chosen as a true organizer and served
as Head-Prefect before becoming President of the students’ guild at
Makerere University. Norbert Mao’s election as the president of the
students’ guild has been recorded as the hottest campaigns in the
history of Makerere University. After his landslide victory he proved
to be among the most vibrant guild presidents the university has ever
had. Under his leadership, the students mounted a struggle against the
now discredited Structural Adjustment Program.

From Makerere University at a very tender age in 1996, he contested
for the Gulu municipality seat and beat a cabinet minister Betty
Bigombe to become Member of Parliament, where he was successfully re-
elected in 2001 for a second term. As a man of principle, he promised
that he would serve only two terms in parliament and true to his word,
in 2006 he did not compete even when he was still very popular.

After a decade in the national parliament, Mao did not seek re-
election but instead heeded the call of his constituents to instead
contest for the leadership of the Gulu district local government then
comprising five parliamentary constituencies and a geographical area
half the size of Belgium. Because of his proven track record of
listening to the voters and acting in their best interests he won the
election with about 80 percent of the vote.

Norbert Mao prefers the power of thoughtful action over misdirected
military response, yet he has proven his strength and willingness to
risk his life for the future of a more peaceful Uganda. In August 2006
Mao led a group of community leaders to the rebel hideout in Garamba,
Congo, to meet LRA rebel leader Joseph Kony. He was one of the 10
accredited observers to the Uganda Peace Talks in Juba that were being
mediated by the Government of Southern Sudan.

In 1999 Norbert Mao co-founded the Great Lakes Parliamentary Forum on
Peace (Amani Forum) and also the Parliamentary Network on the World
Bank. These two parliamentary networks with which he still remains in
contact have greatly enhanced the contribution of parliamentarians in
conflict resolution and development. Since the time over 10 years ago
when he authored a minority report for the parliament calling for
peace talks with the LRA Mao has been a strong advocate for a peaceful
resolution of the conflict in Northern Uganda. He remains active as
Chairman Emeritus of Amani Forum.

Norbert Mao is well known for his superior advocacy efforts and
persuasive oratory skills and regularly speaks on these issues in high
level national and international gatherings including the World Bank
and the United Nations. He was a panelist on the popular radio talk
show The Capital Gang that aired on Kampala's Capital FM station as
well as a columnist for The New Vision newspaper in Uganda. His
writings have featured in the in The Yale Herald, the Strait Times of
Singapore, Yale Global, the Daily Times of Pakistan and The Monitor
among others. He is often featured and quoted in various national and
international media on issues of governance, peace, human rights and
development.

DP President Norbert Mao is a charismatic leader with an unbeatable
record of successfully delivering on his political promise and he is
ready for a new beginning for Uganda.

His committment to leadership with integrity was born from humble
roots. His father was a soldier who went back to school to study
cereal chemistry upon leaving the army. Mao's family background
instilled in him deeply rooted values and a strong work ethic.

Norbert Mao and his wife Naomi have two children, Nicholas and Nathan.
They live in Kampala and Gulu.

It’s Time. Time for a New Beginning. A New Leader for Change. Time
for Norbert Mao.

MAO CAMPAIGNS AT HOIMA CHURCH

2010-12-14T16:17:00.001+03:00

THE Democratic Party (DP) presidential candidate Norbert Mao has taken campaigns to the pulpit. Mao was on Sunday campaigning at St Cyprian Catholic Church in Kijungu-Hoima district on his Bunyoro tour. The mass was also a confirmation service where over 200 children were welcomed to the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist by Hoima acting Bishop, Lambert Bainomugisha. Seated at the far left corner of the altar, Mao said he had a profound affiliation with Cyprian, the saint after whom the church is named because he too is called Cyprian. “I like the name Cyprian because I was also baptised and confirmed by Bishop Cyprian Kihangire and that is why I have come here to join you in prayers,” said Mao. Bishop Bainomugisha called on the confirmed children to desist from satanic temptations and hold onto the catholic faith and its norms. Mao told the congregation that he was the anointed one and he intended to bring about transformation. Uganda, he added needed a new breed of leaders, adding that. After the service, Mao, proceeded to Kijangi landing site on Lake Albert where he addressed his supporters but upon leaving, his car got stuck at the landing site thus cancelling the evening rally at Hoima bus park. But Sunday Bigogo, Hoima’s DP chairman said another rally would be organised.

MAO UNVEILS CAMPAIGN STRATEGY FOR BUGANDA

2010-12-13T12:52:00.002+03:00

Democratic Party presidential candidate Norbert Mao has unveiled a new campaign strategy for Buganda region, saying the party has to keep the region as its stronghold.Unlike in other regions where Mr Mao has campaigned with a handful of party officials, he said his campaigns in Buganda would be carried out jointly with other party flag-bearers for various posts. “When I start campaigns here (Buganda) I would wish to see all DP candidates at all levels. We shall move village to village together,” he said. “It is true we have garnered more support in other regions but since Buganda is our stronghold we have to consolidate our support here.”
Mr Mao made the remarks last Friday in Kampala while meeting party members from Buganda region. He is the first DP leader from a region outside Buganda. He said his campaign task force in Buganda was in the process of printing joint posters with his picture and those of other party flag-bearers at parliamentary and local council levels. “By doing this we hope to save more money on printing posters and use it for other party activities,” he said, adding “We also hope to launch an aggressive media campaign very soon.”
Mr Mao, however, said he party still needed more money from well-wishers to smoothly carry out campaigns. He said he spends at least Shs5million on the campaign trail daily and some Shs300 million will be required on the polling day alone.
Mr Mao , who is making his first shot at presidency, has so far canvassed votes in five sub regions of Busoga, Lango, Karamoja and Bunyoro. According to his campaign programme, Mr Mao is expected to start campaigns in Buganda on January 6 with his first rally in Lwengo District. He castigated some party members whom he said were disrespectful of his leadership and posing as if they own the party. “No one should pose as an historical in DP. We are all equal and we must follow the law,” he said.

MAO SPEAKS OUT ON KAMPALA MAYORAL RACE

2010-12-13T12:45:00.002+03:00

PRESIDENT Norbert Mao has explained the reason why the Democratic Partybacks Socio Democratic boss Micheal Mabikke for the Kampala Mayoral race.

HE said Mabikke was not his first choice but the defiance of Erias Lukwagoand his failure to follow party rules forced the party to back Mabikke.“When a beautiful woman refuses to take your marriage proposals, you don’tgive up with marriage as a man. You look out for one who is medium becauseyou have to marry. Our party has full support for Michael Mabikke andeveryone should vote for him as mayor,” Mao said over the weekend.Mao said Lukwago was variously contacted to nominate as DP but he refusedand instead said if the party wanted, they take the party symbols to hishome.HE argued party, members to abide by their constitution to avoid rifts thatwill result in time wasting. “When you look at time wasted with Suubi, youcount a lot of waste. We wasted a lot of time in the useless court casesover our election because someone wants to antagonize the party. We need tofocus ourselves to winning the elections and fetching votes,” Mao said.Mao dismissed talks of intrigue in the party as Lukwago moves aroundblackmailing it.“If we were working on intrigue, then Betty Nambooze who has been at thehelm of criticizing our activities would not have been nominated on the DPticket,” Mao said.He was at Christ the King meeting Buganda leaders who he argued to researchissues relevant to their electorate.THE party chairman said they made several attempts and met with EriasLukwago over six months before the nominations to have him as their mayoralcandidate but he refused.“At one time, I met with Mufti Zubair Kayongo and requested him to talk toLukwago about the Mayorship but Lukwago declined. Earlier, myself, IssaKikungwe, Mao and Vice president JB Kawanga spoke to him in vain,” Kezaalasaid.

Tribal Ssuubi

He took a swipe at the Suubi 2011 pressure group for having a tribalisticagenda blaming its members for sidelining Mao because of his tribe.

Fundraiser

The party treasurer Issa Kikungwe said the party requires a lot of money andeveryone needs to mobilize funds.HE said mobile phone users can raise 1,000/- for the party by sending an SMSto 7879. Just type the word DP and send to that code. Other networks willavail codes this week. For mobile money, the user numbers are 0776001211 or0776550077. They can also buy budges and T-shirts on which Mao’s portrait isinscribed.

MAO STORMS BUNYORO AFTER THE ACCIDENT

2010-12-08T11:35:00.003+03:00

THE Democratic Party (DP) presidential candidate, Norbert Mao, yesterday began campaigning in Bunyoro sub-region, dismissing fears that he had been injured in an accident on the Hoima-Masindi road. Mao, who was travelling in a convoy of four vehicles from Lira to Kibaale district, was involved in an accident when his driver lost control of the vehicle at Kakapeya trading centre, five kilometres from Hoima town. Witnesses said Mao’s vehicle crashed when the driver lost visibility on the dusty road after a commuter taxi heading to Masindi drove past his convoy at high speed. “We heard a loud bang and saw a lot of dust on the road, only to find that a vehicle had crashed,” Sam Irumba, a resident, said. After the accident, Mao was rushed to Kyakapeya health centre, where he was treated before he continued to Kibaale district to launch his campaigns. The DP spokesperson, Kenneth Kakande, said Mao was safe and was back on the campaign trail. Victoria Iguru, a nurse at Kyakapeya health centre, said Mao sustained minor injuries to his knees and fingers. The Hoima district Police commander, Augustine Kasangaki, said the accident happened at around 11:00am, adding that they were notified about the incident through a phone call from one of people who were travelling in the convoy. By midday, his vehicle, registration number UAN 560E, was still at the scene with traffic officers trying to establish the cause of the accident

MAO INJURED IN A CAR ACCIDENT

2010-12-07T18:42:00.002+03:00

DEMOCRATIC Party Presidential candidate Nobert Mao has been involved in an car accident. He was travelling to Kibaale district for his campaign this morning with his entourage, when the car he was travelling in overturned. Mao sustained minor injuries. The accident happened at Buhanika, in Butebere parish in Hoima district. According to DP spokesperson Kenneth Kakande, Mao was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment on the minor injuries he sustained He says Mao was not fatally injured, although his official campaign car has been severely damaged. Police have launched investigations into the cause of the accident.

PRESIDENTIAL GUARDS BLOCK MAO

2010-12-07T00:22:00.003+03:00

Otuke
Soldiers of the Special Forces Group (SFG), the unit responsible for the protection of the President, on Sunday reportedly delayed DP presidential candidate Norbert Mao at their road block for 30 minutes, a situation which may have contributed to his failure to conduct rallies in Otuke District.
Mr Mao, who was scheduled to address his first rally in Otuke at Okwang Trading Centre on Monday afternoon, arrived at the SFG check point near Baralegi Stage lodge and 4pm and was blocked.

Mao blocked

“As they approached the barracks, they saw a string across the road and his security details came out to find out what was happening. Some soldiers who were not armed started emerging from their concealment,” a source, who was travelling with Mr Mao told this paper.
The source said the soldiers asked Mr Mao who he is to argue with them when even President Museveni’s convoy does not pass through that point. The source said Mr Mao told the soldiers to go and build their own road if they want to set up a road block.
According to the source, Mr Mao’s security detail tried to explain their position but the army officer, in-charge said he was implementing orders from above. After about 30 minutes, two army officers came and instructed the soldiers to let Mr Mao’s contingent through the road block. Mr Mao arrived at Okwang Trading Centre and found his supporters had already left. He then proceeded to Otuke Town Council and arrived at 8pm to find no one waiting for him.
The Otuke District Police Commander, Mr Moses Kafero, said Mr Mao had reported the matter to them, adding that investigations are ongoing. Speaking on phone yesterday, Mr Kafero said it is normal procedure for people to be asked to identify themselves at the check point near Baralegi Stage lodge before they are allowed to proceed. “The problem with politicians is that they want to blow things out of proportion,” Mr Kafero said.
SFG spokesman Capt. Kwesiga said he could not comment on something he is not familiar with. “You ring me in 20 minutes as I try to find out what happened,” he said on phone yesterday afternoon. Capt. Kwesiga was not available for further comment by press time as his known phones were switched off.

MAO PROMISES TO BUILD CIVIL SERVANTS HOUSES

2010-12-05T01:44:00.002+03:00

Democratic Party presidential candidate Norbert Mao has said he will build houses for civil servants on loan basis from banks and the National Social Security Funds.
Addressing rallies on Thursday at Bata, Adwoki and Dokolo Township in Dokolo District, the DP President General said in just one year of his term in office as president, he will make sure that no pupil sits on the floor.
“It’s sad to see our children sitting on the floor after 25 years (of Museveni’s rule). When I am elected, no child will sit on the floor in class in just one year,” Mao said, adding that each class will have a maximum of 50 pupils.
Mr Mao said there are about 500,000 civil servants in the country and he will ensure all of them get good houses of their own. “I will ensure all civil servants get good houses through mortgages,” he said.
Health Sector
On health, the DP leader said all health centre IVs will become district hospitals with an ambulance as well as doctors, male, female and children’s wards.
He said he will make sure all health centre IIIs have theatres while all health centre IIs have emergency theatres. He said he will also make sure all regions in the country have a factory for making drugs.Mr Mao said government has injected a lot of money in Quality Chemicals, a factory making locally produced anti-retroviral HIV drugs, yet the problem of inadequate drugs still persist.
“The government is helping to make drugs but one wonders where these drugs are going,” he said. Mao reiterated said many district leaders implicated in corruption have gone to hide in NRM party. He cited Lira District chairman Franco Ojur, who he said is now hiding in NRM after the NUSAF scandal.
Asked by his supporter why he is talking about only Mr Museveni when there are six other presidential candidates in the race, Mr Mao said all others are also running after Mr Museveni who has the ball. “I can not attack whoever has no ball,” he said.
Remain united
Mr Mao urged people to be united during this election. He counselled them to avoid getting involved in tribal land conflicts. Mr Mao also said said he has programmes for building churches and mosques. “I will appoint a minister for religious affairs in the Office of the President,” he said.

THE MAO MAO REVOLUTION GAINS MOMENTUM; AS KOLE WOMAN BUYS MAO MINERAL WATER

2010-12-01T02:51:00.002+03:00

A mother of six donated sh2,000 to Democratic Party presidential flag-bearer Norbert Mao to help him buy mineral water during his campaign. The woman, identified as Hellen Odongo, said she would have given Mao more money if she was rich. “Little as it may be, get it to help you just buy a bottle of mineral water,” she said. This was after Mao gave out his phone contact, saying his supporters could call him whenever in trouble, or to support his campaign. “You can send me money using mobile money and SMS using 0772885688. President Yoweri Museveni cannot give you his phone number because he is only interested in your votes,” he said. Mao was addressing his supporters at Anekapiri market in Kole district on Monday. He attacked President Yoweri Museveni over delaying to end the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) war and failing to support families that lost relatives during the conflict. Mao said Museveni was only interested in votes, but not addressing the concerns of the people that suffered harm during the two-decade conflict in the north. He noted that Museveni left the people of Teso, Lango, Acholi and West Nile to suffer at the hands of the LRA, forgetting that it was the responsibility of the Government to protect civilians. Mao added that Museveni had failed to unite Ugandans because of his bad governance. “When our people were being killed here in the north, Museveni was busy deploying our sons and daughters to fight in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia,” he said. Some supporters of the ruling National Resistance Movement surrendered their party cards and T-shirts to Mao.

MUSEVENI BROUGHT WAR TO NORTHERN UGANDA, SAYS MAO

2010-11-30T02:10:00.001+03:00

Kole
Democratic Party presidential candidate Norbert Mao yesterday said the two-decade war in northern Uganda was possibly part of a deliberate plan of President Museveni.
Speaking to a crowd which welcomed him into what analysts suggest could be favourable territory for himself and UPC leader Olara Otunnu, Mr Mao an Acholi from neighbouring Gulu, made the observation at Anekapiri Market in Alito Sub-county, Kole District yesterday.

He (Museveni) knew there are many veterans in West Nile, Acholi, and Lango so he brought us an overdose of war,” Mr Mao said, stoking the flames of a long-running war of words between the President and opposition politicians from the north about who was responsible for the conflict.
Poverty accusationHe also said when President Museveni came to power, his plan was to make people poor because he believes ruling a poor person is easy.Mr Mao who spoke in Luo may have been responding to Mr Museveni’s attack last week against the DP leader over what he claimed was cordiality with the leader of the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army which waged war in northern Uganda.

Confirming suspicions that the atrocious war in the north which at one time left two million displaced, thousands kidnapped and conscripted into the fighting forces and an untold numbers murdered and maimed, will be an emotive campaign issue here, Mr Mao told his listeners that President Museveni had no plan to protect them from the rebels. “Museveni had no plans to protect us, if he had, he would have sent more soldiers here,’ he said. Alito, which is not very far from Acholi border, is one place where many people were killed or abducted.
And this could possibly explain why he compared it to the southwestern districts where Allied Democratic Front rebels momentarily made life miserable for the people, resulting in President Museveni at one time personally leading the effort to defeat them. But in places like Alito, he said, the people were forced into camps and depended on handouts. “He (Museveni) is saying that no one was forced into the camps, but we remember thatannouncements were made that we should leave our homes and go to the camps. Even bombs were dropped on the villages to force us out of our homes,’ Mr Mao said.
Turning to the other emotive issue of the Luweero Triangle killings during the bush war which brought Mr Museveni to power, Mr Mao said the President is among those who have tarnished the name of the people of northern Uganda. “They say we killed people in Luweero but I have no blood on my hands. If you ask Museveni if he has ever killed anyone what answer do you expect him to give,” he said.
He said mistakes made by individuals should not be blamed on a particular community. “What Idi Amin did should not be blamed on all Kakwa,” he said, adding that he does not refuse that some Acholi or Langi made mistakes.
Mr Mao told the rally that the NRM leader used to say that if the opposition is voted into power, they will bring former leader Apollo Milton Obote back but now that Obote is no more what will they use as a bogey. He said because of these sort of sentiments, it is difficult for a person whose name starts with letter ‘O’ to get a job in Uganda.
Mr Mao urged people to reject Mr Museveni, because of his “bad ways and failure to protect the people by leaving LRA leader Joseph Kony to roam about kidnapping children.” He said if elected, he will fight corruption because he has never been named in any corruption scandal. He added that he will also promote agriculture, give teachers a living wage and improve quality of education.
After the rally, Mr Mao visited St Mary’s College Aboke where he met the headmistress, Sister Anna Maria Spiga. This is school where LRA abducted 139 girls in 1996.

MAO RUNNING AS UGANDAN FUTURE

2010-11-29T23:49:00.001+03:00

December 11, 1990, was not the best of times for Makerere University. A students’ riot had ended in cracks of gunfire. Two students, Tom Okema and Tom Onyango, were shot dead on that day, which came to be known as “Black December”.
As is wont to happen in such riots, the Guild President has to respond. A certain Norbert Mao, who had defeated soldier man Noble Mayombo (RIP) in a hotly contested guild race three months earlier, was that guild boss.President Museveni summoned him to State House in the aftermath of the deadly riot. Mr Mao, who had been ridiculed for his small stature when he contested for head boy at Namilyango College, fixed his gaze on the trappings of power and vowed to occupy the seat someday.
Twenty years later, Mr Mao’s political dream has nurtured some plumes with his nomination as the Democratic Party (DP) presidential candidate on October 25, 2010. Whether these plumes can grow into feathers that can help him soar, is something only the next two months can prove.
Mr Mao, a rather squat politician, compensates for his lack of height by sheer gift of the garb, toned down with a sly delivery of deadpan. Dismas Nkunda, Mr Mao’s peer at Namilyango and Makerere, likens Mr Mao to Squealer, the sweet-tongued propagandist in George Orwell’s Animal Farm.The DP firebrand says he has already crushed Museveni’s political proxies, beginning with the blue-eyed boy, the late Brig. Noble Mayombo in the 1990 MUK guild race. When he sought to step into the House six years later, Mr Mao blew out the candles of Museveni’s former northern Uganda pacification minister, Betty Bigombe, in a fierce battle for Gulu Municipality MP seat. Not done, Mr Mao again humiliated another Musevenist, Lt. Col. Walter Ochora in the Gulu LC5 seat in 2006.
Now he wants to slay Goliath. But what are Mr Mao’s odds against the NRM juggernaut?Mao is the youngest of eight presidential candidates. His byword for the election campaign is, “now is the time.” He draws a battle line between the old and new generation. But while he rides on the euphoria of the youthful bubble, Mao is not without headaches. The “Young Turk” has to contend with a splinter DP faction.
Mr Mao’s troubles stem from the disputed DP Delegates Conference in Mbale that elected him President General in February. Top DP leadership had remained the preserve of Catholic Ganda since its founding in 1954. But Mr Mao, 43, turned the tables on this, succeeding John Ssebaana Kizito, 77, as DP president. In the event, a section of the party hierarchy accused him of convening an illegal conference that allowed him to run away with the DP crown. A Roman Catholic adherent, Mr Mao became the first to break the Ganda dominance of DP, debunking the popular myth that the party had become bika by’Abaganda (party of Buganda clans).
But he still has to contend with fiery rebel DP Ganda MPs. His forecast is fluid: “I predict north will identify with me. I believe I’ll get a huge vote in Buganda; DP has the deepest roots in Buganda. East is a toss-up. West; Museveni has a strong say. But I have a connection with the west and I am the best guarantee that there will be no retribution by virtue of Museveni’s origin.”
But Buganda remains a toss-up between Museveni, Besigye, and Mao, although Mao still has eight of 10 DP MPs in his political stable. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with him are two former DP presidents, Mr Ssebaana Kizito and Dr Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere.
Yet that notwithstanding, Mr Mao is nursing political headaches in the mould of Suubi 2011 in the heartland of Buganda, a traditional DP stronghold. Suubi, a loose Ganda-DP pressure group, has thrown its lot with the Inter-Party Cooperation’s candidate Dr Kizza Besigye.
Mr Mao, who says he has been received well, feels the sharp stab of treachery as he quips: “They’re paying us by kicking us in the teeth. We exhibited our genuine side and campaigned for MPs Dr Bayiga and Nambooze,” in apparent reference to hotly contested by-elections against NRM-sponsored candidates that the DP duo won.
Mao points the finger at Dr Besigye over woes plaguing DP. “FDC rejected our proposal to cooperate at MP and grassroots levels. We could not be party to an arranged marriage. IPC is FDC by another name. Joining was like stepping down and becoming a cheerleader for Besigye and FDC.”
Ms Nambooze and Mr Lukwago have publicly courted Dr Besigye, chipping away a critical piece of their party. While DP-leaning former Buganda kingdom premier Mulwanyamuli Ssemwogerere and Mr Mathias Mpuuga have decamped to Dr Besigye. But Dr Bayiga and former Buganda deputy information minister Seggona Lubega, also Busiro East parliamentary candidate, have since retreated into Mr Mao’s fold, so did Ms Nambooze on her nomination.
Mr Mao portrays Suubi as victims of manipulation, riding on popular sentiments of a narrow agenda for Buganda. He says Suubi shows FDC’s sly side. He sees Suubi as a reactionary movement on a balloon journey, awaiting a crack.
“Suubi is the biggest liability that Buganda has. It shows their inward-looking side. Their agenda is opportunistic.” He draws parallels with Kabaka Yekka that rallied around the flag of the Kabaka in the1960’s but became the first to betray the Kabaka. Already, the cracks in the IPC have put the allies at loggerheads and their desired option of cooperation has lapsed into frequent deadly skirmishes between FDC, Suubi, SDP and DP.
Even then, Mao is not about to stop digging his knees into Dr Besigye’s sides. He, as much as UPC’s Olara Otunnu and Dr Besigye, know they must cooperate or cannibalise one another in order to ring-fence the turf in northern Uganda. The region has twice delivered Dr Besigye the block vote in 2001, and 2006. But Mao and Otunnu see that support as rented. They see DP and UPC as the due vote holders.
However, DP has no single incumbent MP in its presumed backyard. His coup as Gulu district boss in 2006 was boosted by goodwill votes from FDC and UPC. Mr Mao, a centrist who focuses on peace-building and moderate politics as the centrepiece of his campaign, casts himself as a bridge between the north and south. He says he is best poised to bring national healing.
A gifted multi-lingual, Mao speaks Luo, Runyankole, Luganda, English, and Kiswahili. His blessed double heritage of an Acholi dad and a Munyankole mum also straddles him across the divide that has defined the ethnic north-west mantra since 1986.
For some inexplicable reason, Mr Mao is often accused of links with Museveni. Snide remarks have been leveled at him for allowing wife Naomi work with State House. Dr Besigye exclaimed thus after his nomination: “I respect Mao. I would have loved to work with him but he has a choice of whom he wants to associate with.”
But Mr Mao dismisses this as a smear campaign deflecting the innuendos as “indicators of fear of the threat he poses to claims of providing a legitimate alternative to Museveni.”
He adds: “Besigye has sacrificed a lot but being a victim doesn’t make him the most legitimate alternative to the regime. DP suffered the same ills; our accusers have breastfed and groomed the NRM! FDC is a faction of NRM. It was our voices of dissent that forced Besigye to stop the NRM dance of no change.”
Mr Mao has been accused of conciliatory overtures towards Museveni, especially for keeping silent on the much-maligned Kiggundu-led Electoral Commission. He is also accused of lack of vim over grave issues, including alleged army and police brutality during elections. In his defense, Mao goes theatrical: “If Kiggundu attempts to manipulate these elections, I will call you to the streets and we will count the voters, not the ballots. If that fails, then Museveni will remain the president of the ballots and I will be that of the people,” Mao told fans in Mbale and Tororo.
Belt notches
An enrolled advocate, two-term MP and one-term Gulu District Council chairman, Mao has not escaped the tag of political flip-flop. He has hobnobbed with Chapaa Karuhanga of the National Democrats Forum before teaming up with Mr Aggrey Awori to plot the latter’s bid for the presidency in 2001.
But few would outmatch First Couple Mao and Naomi. And if ladies were vote winners, Naomi, likened to first ladies Carla Bruni and Michelle Obama, would win over to Mao lovers of nouvelle society. With youthful touches to their lives, Mao, 43, and Naomi, 36, represent a breath of fresh air. The couple symbolises class to generation X, a new generation born after Uganda’s independence.
Mao and Naomi touch up their lives with being IT-savvy. Mao remains an active Facebook and Twitter candidate with over 10,000 fans backing his run for the presidency. He frequently posts his political trailers online. If online political activism could translate into offline votes, Mao and Naomi would be 11,000 votes the richer!
But will Mr Mao, who has notched up several victories in his short political career, steer DP to the end of the campaigns chanting the party slogan? The verdict is out on February 18, 2011

I DO NOT HATE MUSEVENI BUT HIS FAILED GOVERNMENT, SAYS MAO

2010-11-27T22:58:00.000+03:00

The Democratic Party presidential candidate has said he is only opposed to President Museveni because of presiding over poor governance.Mr Nobert Mao said he has no personal grudge against Mr Museveni whom he has, however, been opposed to since his time as Makerere University Guild President in early 1990s.
Best candidate“I am not opposed to (President) Museveni as a person but because he has not been able to put many things right for the time he has been in power,” Mr Mao told residents of Obalanga Sub-county in Amuria District on Wednesday.“I am now the right choice to take over from him because of my consistent record in opposing his failed governance.”
He urged the people of Teso to shun the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential aspirants saying they are merely involved in attacking each other
“I offer myself as the best choice and will provide the bridge for the people of Uganda to reconcile with each other. Ignore Museveni and Besigye’s tag of war,” Mr Mao said adding that the country had been in turmoil for long and needed a leader who would focus on reconciliation of the citizens.A cross section of crowds at the rallies he addressed apparently elated by his eloquence and vibrancy regretted though that Mr Mao was little known at the grassroots in Teso despite his bright ideas.
“Mr Mao your ideas are good but you need to get further to the grassroots in Teso for more support,” a supporter only identified as Akurut said.Another of his admirers, Mr Moses Onen, said “Chairman Mao, while in Teso please remind our people that there is lasting peace in truth telling and reconciliation.”

MAO TELLS TRADITIONAL LEADERS TO PREACH FEDERAL GOVERNANCE

2010-11-25T14:56:00.000+03:00

DP presidential flag bearer Norbert Mao has appealed to cultural leaders to educate their subjects on the need for a federal system of governance.“The system enhances unity in diversity by preserving the traditions and cultures of each area,” Mr Mao said.
He said Ugandans should embrace federalism before it can be adopted through a referendum.
Healthy debate
“The debate about federalism is a healthy one. We cannot pretend not to be an aggregate state with all the many ethnic groups we have in the country,” Mr Mao told a rally in Katakwi on Tuesday.
He said the regional tier system based on smaller political units and overseen by the centre that the NRM government has been fronting, cannot be the best system for Ugandans.
“A federal system guarantees equal say and power sharing and will ensure fair distribution of the national cake. Federalism is enshrined in the Constitution unlike the regional tier arrangement, which is a creation of a few,” Mr Mao said.
Proponents of federal arrangement of governance also argue that the arrangement is ideal for the multi-ethnic Uganda.But some people of Teso argue that a federal system of governance would only work to the advantage of the Baganda.
“Why is Mao talking about federalism and not what he is prepared to offer for other Ugandans? Federalism is about the Kabaka,” one of the people who turned up at the rally and only identified himself as Okello, said.

MAO BLAMES NRM FOR TESO POVERTY

2010-11-25T14:20:00.001+03:00

By Simon Naulele
TESO is living in abject poverty because of electing NRM leaders, Democratic Party (DP) presidential candidate Norbert Mao has said. He said NRM leaders in Teso simply praise President Yoweri Museveni without talking about the problems of their people. Mao also castigated disaster preparedness state minister Musa Ecweru, who is also Amuria MP. “I’m told Yoweri Museveni has deployed Ecweru to play sectarian politics in Teso, saying don’t vote for Mao because Mao is the same as Kony,” he said. “When you go to the hospital, do you ask for the doctor’s tribe, or when you are entering a bus, do you ask for the driver’s tribe? We must fight sectarian politics of Museveni and Ecweru,” Mao said. He was addressing a rally at Gweri trading centre in Gweri sub-county in Soroti district on Monday. “If anything, it is Ecweru who was a rebel. I have never been a rebel. I don’t have blood on my hands. In fact Ecweru has a murder case in Teso,” Mao said. He said NRM is a ‘private club’ for only those who are close to Museveni. “That is why they rejected Prof. Gilbert Bukenya and Kahinda Otafire from becoming secretary general. And if Otafire, who has been with Museveni in the bush is treated like that, who is Ecweru?” Mao asked. Mao also addressed rallies in Katine and Kamuda. “This place was not as poor as it is today. The cooperatives that used to link the farmers have been killed,” Mao said. According to Mao, the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) will never solve farmers’ problems, saying it only targets rich people. “Under NAADS those who have pick-up trucks are given a lorry,” he said. Mao said the money which State House spends is more than the one injected into agriculture. “They are saying NAADS has failed due to corruption, but President Yoweri Museveni uses sh300m on his convoy to go and arrest the one who has stolen sh10m,” Mao said. He lashed out at parties which use the ‘pakalast’ slogan. “On polling day, ‘pakalast’ will become ‘pakalost’,” Mao said. He appealed to the people to vote for him. “We want you to be able to afford the basic necessities in life and have more graduates,” he said. Mao said NRM policies had impoverished Uganda. “When NRM came, they first brought currency reforms where 30% was ‘stolen” from whatever one takes. When you take sh1m, you are given sh700,000. Why are Ugandans not asking where their 30% went?” Mao asked. He said the factories that used to provide employment in Jinja and Kampala were sold. “Now our young people don’t have jobs,” he said. “NRM is a government of problems, but DP will be a government of solutions,” Mao added. He said the top leadership and those in the Government were from one region. “The minister for Karamoja is his wife. The commander of the reserve forces is his brother. The foreign minister his in-law and commander of the special forces, his son,” Mao said. According to Mao, Museveni will not win this election, unless “you people continue to be afraid of him”. Mao said the yellow colour is a sign of falling leaves, but green symbolises the future.

NRM HAS MISMANAGED EDUCATION POLICIES SAYS MAO

2010-11-24T16:44:00.000+03:00

Bushenyi
The Democratic Party presidential candidate, Mr Nobert Mao has criticised the NRM government for poor management of educational policies in Teso saying the prevailing conditions have only favoured the affluent. He said the free education scheme for secondary and primary schools in the country, initially intended to benefit the poor, has not achieved its goal in the region due to corruption.
Speaking to residents of Kamuda Sub-county in Soroti district on Monday, Mr Mao said there is need for a deliberate policy by the government for motivation of teachers working in areas recovering from effects of past conflicts to be able to score the free education goals.
Teachers’ plight
“The programme (for free education) is good but has been mismanaged in most parts of the country by corrupt government officials. It has not benefited the poor, especially those in disturbed areas like Teso. The teachers are compelled to work under difficult conditions with low pay,” Mr. Mao said. He said once voted into power, his government would ensure that funds for the education sectors are increased to enable communities recovering from war effects access quality education.
“University education should be made affordable for the poor. Each region needs a public institution of higher learning for all citizens to move at the same level,” Mr Mao, currently canvassing for votes in Teso said.
While in Katakwi, Mr Mao sneered at the ruling party for failing to resettle an estimated 20,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) still trapped in the camps due to poverty. The IDP camps in Katakwi have been home to thousands of households forced into the encampment by marauding Karimojong cattle rustlers.

DP PROPOSES A NON-PARTISAN APPROACH TO OIL SECTOR

2010-11-22T20:01:00.001+03:00

Uganda has discovered oil, but the country still does not have a clear and concise strategy on how it will harvest the resource without conflicts as has been envisaged and occurred in other countries.
Indeed, there is already a squabble with the government not disclosing the truth about the concessions, and the companies hitherto given clearance to drill refusing to pay tax, and even leaving the country without fulfilling their tax obligations. To-date, a civil society-initiated public interest lawsuit to get to know exactly how much the government is being paid and how many explorers are being given the license has hit a wall.
Oil reserves in western Uganda of at least 800 million barrels have been confirmed, with potential reserves of up to 2 billion barrels. Although price volatility makes it difficult to predict the revenue stream, public revenues are projected to double in about 6-10 years time. Peak production is projected to be 150,000 barrels per day, a rate that could be sustained for 10-20 years.
Based on the current fiscal system and an oil price of $75 per barrel, government revenue at peak production is estimated at over $2 billion per year. Large investments will be needed to produce, transport, export and refine the oil so there remains uncertainty regarding the time to reach peak oil production and income.
Oil, however, may be a blessing as shown above or a curse with deepening of a range of political, economic and social challenges including a higher likelihood of civil war and social instability. This prospect raises the possibility of development opportunities together with significant challenges in a number of other areas.

Uganda has had enough of internal conflict. How this resource and the hope for Uganda to transition to an industrialised country are handled is therefore very crucial. Under the Democratic Party regime, adequate preparations will be made to accommodate and manage the expected revenues from this natural resource.
DP Pledges to implement an oil policy which will benefit everyone. DP will: Invest in building a refinery and oil pipelines for effective harnessing and management of the newly discovered oil; Promote a stability and savings fund for the oil revenues to be integrated within the State’s overall fiscal management with only the normal rate of return injected into the annual national budget; Establish in Parliament a ‘Cross Party Working Group’ with support from civil society, international development partners, the National Resource Committee (NRC) and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) members to oversee the development of the oil and gas sector; Promote the adoption of conflict sensitive approaches by politicians and traditional institutions so as to avoid exploiting the citizens for personal gain.
DP recognises that whereas natural resources like oil are a national wealth, they are a God given opportunity/asset for the people where the resource is located. DP will, therefore, work out a percentage of the oil as royalties to develop the areas where the oil is located. The royalties will also be used to mitigate the negative environmental impact in those areas where extraction will occur.
This is an extract from the policy manifesto of Democratic Party president general, Norbert Mao, on the management of Uganda’s oil.

MUSEVENI IS NOT NATIONALISTIC SAYS FORMER DP PRESIDENT SEBAANA KIZITO

2010-11-21T08:05:00.004+03:00

By Moses Mulondo
I was born in 1934 at Mpande village in Luwero District. I went to Ndejje Junior School and King’s College Budo where I completed my Cambridge School Certificate in 1955. In 1956 I went to Makerere University for a bachelor of economics degree. While at Makerere, I was elected the secretary of the Uganda Makerere University Students Association. While serving in that capacity, we spearheaded a meeting that brought together various political parties in the country because there were very many parties and yet they were all fighting for the same cause — independence. This move resulted in the 1959 amalgamation of Uganda National Congress, Uganda People’s Union and Action Party into one party known as the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC). While at Makerere University I was also the president of the Makerere branch of the Progressive Party. In 1960 I flew to the US for a master’s in Business Administration at the University of Oregon. I came back to Uganda in 1963. By the time I came back in 1963 the Progressive Party had ceased to exist after joining Kabaka Yekka (KY) and I refused to be part of that because I was a firm believer in a united Uganda and I did not want to embrace anything that looked as if Buganda wanted to go it alone. It is that argument that compelled me to join the Democratic Party (DP) in 1963. In 1967, I was appointed by the parliament of the day to be a member of the East African Legislative Assembly. I was in that position for 10 years until the East African Community collapsed in 1977. In the 1979 during the run-up to the 1980 general elections, I resigned my post to run for Member of Parliament for Makindye which was then called Kampala South. I beat three other comfortably to win the seat. DP clearly won the 1980 election but Paul Muwanga just overturned the results and gave victory to UPC’s Milton Obote, compelling Museveni and others to go to the bush, claiming to fight the injustice of rigging which is also now common under his leadership. After our victory had been stolen in 1980, we decided to join Parliament and be on the opposition side because as DP we don’t believe in acquiring power through bloodshed. While in the UPC-led Parliament, tensions were always high and they always suspected us to be linked to Museveni’s guerilla war in Luwero and because of that many of our colleagues were murdered. During the time, the commercialisation of politics also set in as Obote bought off seven DP MPs from Busoga and they crossed to UPC. I was a Member of Parliament from 1980 until 1995 when I decided not to run again. Amidst dissatisfaction from many DP quarters, I handed over the leadership of DP to Norbert Mao in February this year and retired from politics. Unfortunately many senior DP leaders boycotted the Mbale delegates’ conference and some even petitioned court to nullify the results but the court has five times ruled against them. I had actually wanted to retire from politics soon after the 2006 elections but some of the members of my executive objected to it, saying it was premature for me to hand the leadership of the party to another person. The majority of our political leaders, including Museveni are not nationalistic. Our politicians are so self-centered. That is why Museveni has killed all the institutions. I don’t know whether he enjoys the presidency because he has created a system of leadership that rotates around himself. The three organs of the state, especially the Judiciary and Parliament should act independently of the Executive for the good of Uganda. There is a need for building autonomous institutions where the occupants are respected. I think the President’s job is very tedious and because the President wields a lot of power, a person can easily be tempted to misuse it and that is why for the good of the nation it is better that the two-term presidential term limits are re-instated.

DP RENEGADES RECOGNISE MAO

2010-11-20T13:18:00.001+03:00

Two renegade members of the Democratic Party, Dr Lulume Bayiga, the Buikwe South MP and Medard Lubega, the Busiro East parliamentary seat hopeful, have returned to the mainstream party fold headed by Norbert Mao.
The members who have been hobnobbing the opposition Interparty Cooperation accepted to pay allegiance to Mr Mao, the DP presidential candidate and campaign for him for the good of the party.
DP secretary general Mathias Nsubuga confirmed the development on Thursday, saying it was a big boost to the party as it positions itself to capture power in next year’s elections.
Good leadership
“Yes, we have resolved the differences amicably and the two have received the party blessing to stand on the DP ticket in their constituencies,” he said by telephone after a closed meeting with the duo on Wednesday.“We love to see all our members back so that we enter State House next year when we are one family.”
Mr Nsubuga said the return of the duo was also a manifestation that the current leadership can reconcile the warring factions within the party.
Dr Bayiga, a former deputy party secretary general, together with other party members had refused to recognise the leadership of Mr Mao as party president claiming that he was “beneficiary of fraud” after sailing through as party president during the Mbale delegates conference.

Dr Bayiga’s group said then that the conference was unconstitutionally convened. This faction has fielded a candidate, Mr Sammuel Lubega, to run as an independent presidential candidate.
Dr Bayiga’s known mobile telephone was off while Mr Lubega failed to pick up repeated calls from this paper yesterday. Recently, the former president of the party, Dr Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere, offered unconditional support to Mr Mao and pledged to join his campaign. Mr Ssemogerere had earlier refused to recognise Mao’s administration .
Meanwhile, members of the party in Mukono District have asked the party’s National Executive Council, to reverse its decision of fielding another candidate other than Betty Nambooze for the Mukono Municipality parliamentary seat.
The resolution was made at a meeting chaired by the district party vice chairperson Musisi Kirega, held in Mukono on Thursday. The members, numbering about 500, said it was not right for the party to back Godfrey Matovu without consulting them, considering that they know each candidate’s potential.
“At one point I thought that someone is bewitching my party, because there is no way NEC could come up with such a resolution without our input as people on the ground,” a party member, James Sekamate said.
DP announced Mr Matovu as its flag bearer for the seat, saying that Ms Nambooze, the Mukono North legislator, has never written to them expressing her willingness to run for the same office.
But Ms Namboze insisted that she wrote a letter and handed it to Mr Kirega.

DP GETS FLAG BEREAR IN GULU MUNICIPALITY

2010-11-20T13:09:00.000+03:00

The Democratic Party has finally endorsed Mr Emmanuel Mwaka Lutukumoi as Gulu Municipality MP flag bearer in next year’s general elections. The announcement comes barely a week to the nomination of Members of Parliament. The poll results indicate that out of the 99 delegates who voted, Mwaka scored 61 against his competitor Komakech Lyandro who got 38 votes. “Mwaka is the DP flag bearer in the next general elections.We now call upon other members to support his bid to compete for the municipality seat,” the party’s electoral commission vice chairman, Mr Paul Mukiibi, told the gathering shortly after declaring the results on Wednesday.Mr Mukiibi also urged DP members to canvas votes for the party’s presidential candidate Norbert Mao

ELECT LEADERS OUT OF LOVE NOT FEAR-MAO

2010-11-20T13:05:00.002+03:00

DP Presidential candidate Norbert Mao called upon the people of Moroto to elect leaders who speak for them. Mao said the problems facing Karamoja are not insurmountable. He blamed the persistence of the problems on an uncaring government, indifferent leaders and unbridled corruption among those in charge of service delivery. Mao pledged transparency in dealings regarding the mineral wealth of Karamoja. "Karamoja has vast mineral resources but the income per capita of the Karimojong is about 34,000 per annum!", Mao said. He observed that those exploiting the marble stones from Karamoja pay the poor residents a paltry 70,000 for each lorry load. "It is a shame that the government is just looking on as the people are being exploited. The NRM government is like a greedy man who is paid to hold down his own mother to be raped.", Mao lamented. Mao promised that he would listed to voices from Karamoja in order to develop and implement the correct long term policies. "Today I give you a new battle cry. If anybody comes to Karamoja to help, tell them the following five words - 'nothing about us without us'", Mao said. Mao called upon the people to fight the politics of fear and replace it with the politics of hope. "Can you imagine what we would be able to do if we sid not have fear?", Mao said. "We need leaders who we vote because we love them, not because we fear them", he added. Mao has been in the Karamoja region for the last five days. He has focused his campaign on security, food security, restocking, dealing with drought and a fair policy on natural resources. Find more at http://www.maonow.org/

THREE GUNMEN ATTACK MAO'S TEAM

2010-11-18T18:45:00.000+03:00

Moroto
Police constables attached to Democratic Party presidential candidate Norbert Mao yesterday disarmed and arrested three armed individuals who attempted to attack his convoy as it made its way into Moroto District.
Eye witnesses said the trio attacked Mao’s team at around 8pm when he arrived in Moroto, where he was expected to address a series of campaign rallies the next day. One of the soldiers was dressed in army uniform while two wore T-shirts bearing the face of President Museveni.
According to Okamya Kasozi, who leads Mao’s campaign team in Karamoja, the gunmen attacked them as they pasted Mao’s posters around Moroto Municipality. “They wanted to stop us from putting Mao posters in any place in the Municipality but we also defied their order and one who was putting on Museveni T-shirts ordered the one who was carrying a gun to shoot at us. But they were rounded up by Mao’s security team who arrested them and disarmed them before calling the police,” Mr Okamya said.
Moroto District Police Commander, Richard Anyama and the UPDF 3rd Division Spokesman, Capt. Deo Akiiki, confirmed the incident to Daily Monitor in separate interviews. Capt. Akiiki however said only one of the three, who he identified as Pte. Emmanuel Opio, is a soldier. According to Capt. Akiiki, Pte Opio is an escort of the Regional Internal Security Officer, Emmy Twagira.
Capt. Akiiki said Twagira should explain how his escort ended up in an altercation with Mao’s security and campaign team. He added that the army is carrying out its own independent investigation. The law bars soldiers and other security officers from engaging in partisan politics.

MAO TO TAP NILE WATER TO KARAMOJA

2010-11-18T18:43:00.000+03:00

The Democratic Party presidential candidate, Mr Norbert Mao, has promised to tap water from Lake Kyoga, which is mainly fed by the River Nile, to supply the entire Karamoja region in an ambitious large scale irrigation project.
The water, he said, would be used for irrigation to enhance agriculture in the semi-arid region. Mr Mao made the remarks yesterday while addressing several rallies in Moroto District.
“I want to assure you that if you vote me into power, water scarcity will be history and you will be in position to irrigate your land. I will have no excuses in creating the channel because the money will be safe from today’s corrupt government officials,” Mr Mao said.
According to him, the diversion will not affect Egypt. Nine Nile Basin countries are pitted against each other over the sharing of water from R.Nile with Egypt and Sudan on one hand and Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, the DR Congo, Kenya, and Ethiopia on the other
He said he would compensate those that have lost their cattle and families of civilians killed by the UPDF soldiers.

MAO CALLS FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

2010-11-17T17:33:00.002+03:00

Reconciliation is the best way in dispensing justice to the victims of the Ugandan Northern war conflict. “What I prefer is a truth and reconciliation commission, like that of South Africa, to allow us to decide who did what during the conflict by telling the truth,” says Democratic Party president Norbert Mao. “The truth and reconciliation commission approach to address the abuse of human rights during the Northern war conflict will allow Ugandans to tell the truth and be addressed accordingly.”
By Leiuh Asuman Wakida with our Top Partner The Uganda Eye
In January 2004, the Government of Uganda reported the top five Lord’s Resistance Army commanders to the International Criminal Court that has its seat in The Hague, Netherlands over the human rights abuses committed by the rebels during the 20year Northern conflict, that has left millions homeless and thousands killed.
Expensive
Asked why he prefers reconciliation to criminal proceedings in the court, Mao gave three reasons to support his opinion. “We don’t support the idea of ICC because I believe we as Ugandans can address Northern human rights abuses committed during the conflict and that is the best way to go,” said Mao.He also pointed out that the ICC is very expensive for many victims of the Northern conflict who make up the majority. “I support the reconciliation process because ICC is very expensive for the ordinary people who make up the majority of the victims,” revealed Mao.
Thirdly, Mao also thinks that most Ugandans don’t understand the way the ICC speaks justice: “The ICC is alien and many people don’t understand its process; that is why I prefer reconciliation, to reconcile our country.”
Joseph Kony
The government targeted very few suspects of human rights abuses of the Northern war conflicts and these are the top five LRA rebel commanders who include Joseph Kony, the top commander; the late Vincent Otti who was the second in command, Raska Lukwiya, Oket Odhiambo and Dominic Ongwen.His reasoning corroborates with Sultan Kasimu Opio who lost his aunt Akullo Akile and his sister Friday Angomu who was abducted by the LRA during an attack on Omoro village in Lira.
The LRA rebels are famously known for the aggravated human rights abuses against humanity and war crimes during the Northern bloody conflict.
Horrors
“My sister Friday Angomu was abducted by the LRA rebels from Aboke Girls’ secondary school and she appeared after several years of captivity with one boy and also pregnant,” said a tearful Opio.Opio said his uncle, John, was abducted by the same rebels and produced him in pieces after one month of captivity and rebels warned them of more punishments if any family member tried to revenge. Opio, married to one wife and with five children, fled the area and found himself in his present-day residence at Kireka and now lives a pauper’s life.
“We were dispersed into disarray and most of my relatives never made it to their safety destination as they were either killed by the rebels or angry residents who mistook them for rebels,” said Opio. He claims he never attended their burials and this has left a grey area in his life which he says will be very difficult to forget the rest of his life.
Both parties forgive each other and swear publicly never to go at war again with each other and this completes the reconciliation process. “What we need today is reconciliation between us and the perpetuators and not the criminal proceedings against them,” said Opio.
The government of Uganda reported the top LRA commanders to the ICC in The Hague who were indicted for crimes against humanity and war crimes. LRA boss Joseph Kony was charged with 12 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes including murder, inducing rape, intentionally directing an attack against a civilian population and forced enlisting of children.
Uganda’s parliament ratified the ICC treaty in June 2002 and she is a dully signed-up member of the International Criminal Court. There is relative peace now in the North and many people are now back to their homes, but the victims still demand justice to be done.
However, Opio, like many other victims of the northern conflict, prefers reconciliation to criminal proceedings preferred by the government.
Mato Oput
Most victims prefer the traditional justice system popularly known as ‘Mato oput’ which involves both parties reconciling with each other. “Both parties present a sheep and the blood from these animals is mixed with the top most ‘oput’ tree leaves and brewed. Both parties take the brew symbolizing the bitterness in their hearts,” explained Opio.

MUSEVENI IS MILKING KARAMOJA SAYS MAO

2010-11-17T00:20:00.000+03:00

Karamoja/Kampala
Democratic Party (DP) presidential candidate Norbert Mao has said President Museveni is “milking” the people of Karamoja without developing the region endowed with minerals.
Addressing separate rallies in Kaabong and Kotido districts, Mr Mao said Karamoja will never develop for as long as President Museveni is still in power.
Mr Mao proposed that if the Karimojong helped vote him into power, he would set industries in the area which would provide jobs and other benefits to the people here. “President Museveni is milking Karamoja region without “grazing it”. You have been overwhelmingly voting for President Museveni but there is no development. How can you milk a cow without grazing it?” he asked.
“Developing Karamoja is easy because the region has vast minerals which Museveni is failing to tap. All he does is promise and it is high time you knew that you will never develop under President Museveni’s regime,” he told the rallies.
Mr Mao promised that once he is voted into power, he will consider developing the region as a first priority.

MAO WARNS OF DANGER OF JOINING NRM

2010-11-16T09:26:00.002+03:00

Tororo/Butaleja
Democratic Party presidential candidate Norbert Mao has urged Ugandans not to join the National Resistance Movement because it makes whoever joins it “stupid”.
Addressing a rally in Tororo town at the weekend, Mr Mao said the reason for President Museveni believing that he is the only one with a vision is that all those who are in the NRM are foolish.
“Something is wrong. Whoever joins NRM whether he or she is intelligent becomes stupid. Even those in Parliament, when they enter Parliament, they behave like they have left their brains at the parking yard,” Mr Mao said.
Repeat stunt
Mr Mao told the rally that if the chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr Badru Kiggundu, rigs the elections in favour of President Museveni, he would do what he did in Gulu in 1996 in the parliamentary race against the then Minister for Northen Uganda Pacification, Ms Betty Bigombe.
“If Kiggundu rigs the elections, I will call Ugandans to come with their voters cards and ask him to count them one by one. If he refuses, then Mr Museveni will remain a President of mere ballot papers and I will be President of the people,” he said. “I am a specialist in defeating top NRM cadres. Mr Museveni is now meeting the most dangerous substitute ever,” said Mr Mao
No support
Mr Mao said President Museveni now has no support in most parts of the country and that this has made him promise anybody anything, and would appoint a CAO and an RDC so as to get votes. “In the north, he has his permanent 11 per cent. In the east, he has no votes because he has destroyed all the industries. In Buganda, you know the problem and in Busoga, the problem of jiggers.”
On corruption, Mr Mao said creating more institutions in Uganda today in the name of fighting corruption is instead making it grow. While campaigning in Butaleja, Dokho and Busolwe, the DP leader promised interest-free loans to farmers to help them fight poverty in their households. Mr Mao revealed that once he takes power he would start a Citizens Economic Empowerment Fund targeting all the rural poor to fight poverty and help reduce the widening income inequality gap.

MUSEVENI FEARS ME SAYS DP'S NOBERT MAO

2010-11-16T09:21:00.000+03:00

THE Democratic Party (DP) presidential candidate, Nobert Mao, has said President Yoweri Museveni came up with a song – “you want another rap” – because he fears the influence he (Mao) has over the youth. Mao noted that when Museveni realised that he was serious about contending for the presidency, he composed a song that would lure the youth into thinking that he too was still youthful and cared about their plight. “Museveni fears me. But whatever number of raps he may release, Museveni will never become a youth again. I am the only candidate in the race who bonds with the youth. I know what challenges they are undergoing and I’m ready to address them. I have come so that we can wipe out the old era of Luwero bush fighters,” Mao said. He was on Friday addressing a rally at Busolwe town council in Butaleja district. Mao held other rallies in Nabiganda, Kachonga and Nampologoma sub-counties, and made a stopover at Butaleja town council. On his way to Busolwe, the groups of people lined the sides of the dusty murrum road, while others gathered in trading centres yelling maulanda (a loose local translation for Mao)”. Mao arrived at Busolwe at 6:45pm. Over 15 million registered voters are expected to participate in polls next year, with the youth comprising the biggest block, and most of them voting for the first time. In an effort to woo the youth vote, most presidential candidates have had songs composed in praise of their candidature, besides performing at their rallies. Mao said if elected president, he would improve technical education so as to avail the youth with the necessary skills to create employment opportunities. “When I was young, I used to mend shoes to earn some money. It would fetch me the money to pay for books, pens and fees. As long as you posses a skill, there will always be somebody ready to pay for it,” Mao said. He boasted that he defeated the late Brig. Noble Mayombo in the Makerere University guild race, minister Betty Bigombe for Gulu’s parliamentary seat and Walter Ochora for Gulu’s LC 5 seat. He added that he was remaining with a general (Museveni). Asked why he did not rally behind Dr. Kiiza Besigye of the Inter party Cooperation (IPC) which DP initially subscribed to, Mao said the coalition had no clear path. “We had agreed to only field joint candidates for local council seats and MPs, not the presidential candidate. That’s why you see even Besigye is using the FDC symbol of the key on his posters despite being an IPC candidate,” Mao explained.

DP ENDORSES MABIKKE FOR MAYOR

2010-11-15T01:09:00.000+03:00

THE Democratic Party (DP) has endorsed the Social Democratic Party president, Michael Mabikke, for the Kampala mayoral race. The party’s national chairman, Mohamed Kezaala, told a news conference at Speke Hotel in Kampala on Thursday that the decision was taken by DP’s national executive committee on Wednesday. The party, Kezaala said, decided to back Mabikke, the Inter-party Cooperation (IPC) candidate, after the Kampala Central MP, Erias Lukwago, decided to run as an independent. “We have decided to support the IPC candidate so that we don’t hand the seat to NRM,” he said. Kezaala, the Jinja municipality mayor, added that DP had decided to abandon with Lukwago after he declined to write to the party’s secretary general expressing his interest in the seat. The party has endorsed Eddie Yawe to contest for the Kampala Central MP seat in next year’s general elections.

DP TO STOP CORRUPTION BY EXAMPLE

2010-11-15T01:07:00.001+03:00

The Democratic Party will ensure a transparent, accountable and corruption free government cardinal in its manifesto. We believe the political economy of Uganda, the socio-economic, socio –cultural development in this country will be achieved only with an exemplary leadership, which leadership is lacking in Uganda with the current leadership in government being suspects [of corruption].
To get the right answer, Uganda needs the right formula of tackling corruption first with stringent laws that will ensure accountability at all levels. DP will have zero tolerance for corruption and specifically; the Mao-DP administration will redistribute Executive power since we believe that the current ills in government such as corruption and non-accountability arise from the concentration of the power and authority of the state in the Presidency and the emasculation of the capability of other public institution that are intended to ensure the due checks and balances in the transaction of public affairs.
Our administration will enforce autonomy of public institutions through independent vetting by commissions and Parliament. DP will institute a serious legal reform to ensure that any public official accused of corruption is immediately relieved of his responsibilities and suspended till the case i
We have witnessed government officials impeached for corruption but still enjoying the liberty of holding important offices. Democratic Party will not only make zero tolerance a swan song but rather the epitome of its first leadership credentials. The fish rots from the head; it’s the head and top leadership that must stand to be counted. The idea of arresting small fish like Teddy Cheeye while dining and basking in peace with big thieves will not be tolerated.
Corruption has been institutionalised in Uganda and DP will undo this. It has been breeding under weak public sector management and administration. Whereas poverty is chocking most ordinary Ugandans, a few people are basking in the national wealth. On transparency International rankings, Uganda moved from 126 to 130 out of 180 countries in their indices of 2008/2009.s fully determined.

Corruption has flourished in the procurement and administration of public expenditure. IGG reports indicated that local governments are the most corrupt sector of government and because they are closer to the people, corruption impacts directly to the ordinary people. Thefts have always been reported but the criminals have been forgiven, even by the President. That makes him a suspect!
We have witnessed corruption cases in the Purchase of junk choppers; the NSSF/ Temangalo saga, The Global Fund where victims of HIV/Aids and Malaria were deprived of their lives through theft of money meant for their treatment. The recently concluded Chogm in Kampala that saw billions stolen by government ministers. These big suspects still hold onto their offices. We won’t tolerate this.
There are myriads of corruption examples. In northern Uganda, the war ate billions. In 2003 alone over $1.3 billion was spent on the war under classified expenditure. The Northern Uganda Reconstruction Programmes 1 & 2 and the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund have been another den of corruption. Ugandans saw Gulu District chairman, who is DP Party President expose corruption in the Prime Minister’s office when he literally broke one of the plastic pangas procured to help resettle people of northern Uganda. The perpetrators are still ministers in these offices. It is estimated that Uganda loses Shs500 billion annually to corruption according to the 2007 African Peer Review Mechanism report.
DP President General, also known as Chairman Mao, was voted number two among the least corrupt Ugandans by the Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda 2009/10. This is a precedent that Uganda needs an exemplary leader.
The first victim of the demise of culture and traditions in Uganda after colonialism is the moral sense of shame! Leaders luck morals and they dress to go to office to steal but not to work. DP will heal Uganda from all forms of corruption ranging from actual theft of public funds, to nepotism in public services such as the army. This is our promise to Uganda. The medicine is Mao
Mr Emmanuel Mwaka Lutukumoi, the DP National Publicity Secretary, wrote this article on behalf his party leader.emwaka@yahoo.co.uk

MUSEVENI A SUSPECT FOR CHOGM SCANDAL SAYS MAO

2010-11-15T01:02:00.001+03:00

Democratic Party presidential candidate Norbert Mao has said testimonies by top cabinet ministers on the Chogm funds have now portrayed President Museveni as a prime suspect in the mess.
Addressing a campaign rally in Malaba town at the weekend, Mr Mao likened Vice President Gilbert Bukenya and Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa’s revelations to a man in his village who had a beautiful daughter who he did not want to talk to any man, ties her by his bed and she eventually gets pregnant.“When clan heads asked the girl who was responsible, she said ask daddy because I am always chained here,” Mr Mao said.
Prof. Bukenya defended himself before Parliament last week and Mr Kuteesa is expected to appear this week. All implicated ministers will defend themselves again before the House.

He said when the two cabinet ministers appeared before Parliament, each of them insisted that the President had full knowledge of how the Chogm money, they are now being accused of misappropriating, was used.
“When the Vice-President appeared before Parliament he said the President authorised some of the expenditures.” Explaining his argument further, Mr Mao said in legal terms, a suspect is believed to have an opportunity, the means and the motive to commit a crime and that in the ongoing Chogm scandal, Mr Museveni possesses all the attributes.
Be contented
He urged Ugandans to be contented with what they struggle to earn instead of dipping their hands in other people’s pockets. “Ugandans like glorifying ill-gotten wealth. Better live in a grass thatched hut than living in a mansion which was built from questionable resources,” Mr Mao said.
Mr Mao also took a swipe at Mr Museveni for allegedly saying in Apac recently that he (Mao) is a collaborator of the LRA rebels.

BESIGYE AND MUSEVENI THE SAME

2010-11-14T03:01:00.002+03:00

PEOPLE’s Progressive Party president, Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, has said removing President Yoweri Museveni and replacing him with the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president, Kizza Besigye, is no option because they are like twins.
He observed that Uganda’s major problem is not the lack of drugs in public health units or the deficiency in delivery of other social services but the culturing of people who have been holding the presidency. Bidandi, who served for over 20 years as a minister in different regimes, says the country has largely been ruled by people with military backgrounds, who end up making errors when they forget and exercise martial clout to run the State. “They have backgrounds originating from the gun and the bush where orders are unchallengeable. This makes them more of autocrats than leaders,” he said.
Bidandi's statement re-echos DP Presidential candidate Mao's earlier message to voters in Pallisa that it would be a big mistake to replace NRM with FDC because they are all the same.

DP BACKS MABIKKE AGAINST LUKWAGO FOR KAMPALA MAYOR

2010-11-14T02:20:00.004+03:00

The Democratic Party (DP) has resolved to throw its weight behind Makindye East MP Michael Mabikke, the Inter-Party Cooperation flag-bearer in the city mayoral race.According to the party Chairman Baswale Kezaala, the DP National Executive Committee which convened on Wednesday at the party headquarters preferred Mabikke against Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago.
“We looked at Mr Mabikke from the IPC perspective and since Mr Lukwago ignored room to amend his relationship with the party, we preferred the former,” Mr Kezaala told journalists in Kampala yesterday.
“Like we said earlier, we can cooperate with IPC at lower levels of leadership and this process has started,” he added. The two MPs face NRM’s Peter Sematimba and Capt. Francis Babu who defied his party and get nominated as Independent.
“He [Lukwago] has not been supportive of the party in any way, and we gave him enough chances but he misused them,” Mr Kezaala added. Sources that attended the NEC meeting told Daily Monitor that Mr Mabikke, also president of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), will in-turn back a DP candidate Sebastian Lwanga for the Makindye East parliamentary seat.
Mr Lukwago, a former DP legal adviser, fell out with his party recently to join the Suubi 2011 pressure group which fights for the interests of Buganda Kingdom.This group, which comprises mainly of Buganda-leaning politicians, has since signed a memorandum of understanding with the IPC to create a joint campaign platform. Early this week, IPC electoral commission chairman Rubaramira Ruranga said they have not held any discussion with Mr Lukwago over his intended mayoral candidature and advised him to step-down in favour of Mr Mabikke.
He said Mr Mabikke was their preferred candidate as far as the IPC protocol is concerned. This view, however, is at odds with the IPC/Suubi wing of the alliance which is standing with Mr Lukwago who was nominated as an independent candidate.DP had chosen former NSSF Corporation Secretary John Baptist Kakooza as its flag-bearer but reversed the decision for what it said were the wider interests of the opposition.
Battle lines
This seems to have set a new battle within opposition ranks since none of the two rival candidates is willing to step aside. Mr Mabikke, who also walked out of DP to form SDP, said the latter’s support was a manifestation that “my candidature has brought support across the political, religion and tribal divide.” “This is indeed a golden opportunity I must utilise so that I don’t disappoint the people,” he said.
After his nomination last week, Mr Mabikke held his first rally at Katwe, Makindye Division while Mr Lukwago held his first rally at Nakasero Market, Central Division.Kampala District has five political divisions which have exhibited unique voting patterns basing on their social, religious and economic factors.
Kampala Central is highly commercial and a cosmopolitan division while Rubaga is more of a residential area mainly inhabited by old Buganda and conservative Catholic families that have generally thrown their lot with politicians from the DP. Kawempe on the other hand is Muslim dominated and densely populated while Nakawa is a cosmopolitan but dominated by northerners and easterners.

ITS A MISTAKE TO REPLACE NRM WITH FDC SAYS MAO

2010-11-12T01:17:00.001+03:00

Democratic Party presidential candidate Norbert Mao yesterday kept the spotlight on graft as a key campaign issue, charging that it is impossible for the President to claim any commitment to fighting the rampant vice when he is himself a “chief suspect”.
“You cannot be the chief suspect in corruption and expect to get rid of the problem,” Mr Mao said in Budaka where, although he did not provide evidence directly implicating the President in corruption, he still rejected President Museveni’s renewed campaign promise to fight corruption.
Presidential shield
“The most corrupt top government officials are being shielded from being prosecuted by the President of this country while the poor continue to suffer paying exorbitant taxes which time to time are swindled,” Mr Mao said.
Addressing several rallies in Budaka District, Mr Mao said the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) is not a party but a platform for thieves who are against change knowing that once there is change, they can expect to face the law and also pay back what they have stolen from the government coffers.“The President’s allies are openly swindling government funds under his watch. It’s very difficult to fight corruption when he (Museveni) himself is not clean at all,” Mr Mao said attracting thunderous applause.
The DP leader cast himself as a candidate unblemished by accusations of corruption pointing at his leadership as Gulu District chairman which he said is free of graft. This is unlike the central government that is today struggling under the weight of the reported uncontrolled swindling of public resources.
“Leaders,” Mr Mao said, “must have the moral authority to discipline corrupt officials. Merely saying we shall deal with them and nothing happens is a ‘mafia’ style of confusing the entire electorate to think tough measures are [coming] when it is a hoax.”
Mr Mao cited the Shs11 billion Temangalo land scandal in which Security Minister Amama Mbabazi was named, Global fund heist in which three ministers were implicated and procurement of junk military choppers as examples of cases of corruption which costs Uganda hundreds of billions of shillings annually.
“These people are walking free and continue using government facilities. As a leader, he (Museveni) would have fired these ministers instead of rotating them within his administration,” said Mr Mao, adding: “All these will have to face the law once Mao is entrusted with power come 2011 election.”
Plans
He also spoke about his plans to shake up the country’s economy from the devastation of this administration’s privatisation policy that witnessed the divestiture of key state parastatals like the Uganda Commercial Bank, Uganda Railways and other valuable national assets.
Taking a swipe at the opposition Forum for Democratic Change whose membership is to a considerable extent drawn from former NRM enthusiasts, Mr Mao said it would be a great mistake to vote for it since there is no difference between them.
“All must be thrown out. Vote DP which is pro-people with integrity,” he said. “This generation both have origins in the Luweero Triangle. They all claim that they fought to liberate this country instead they are counter-accusing each other of massive corruption and acquiring wealth in dubious deals.
“You hear of top government people keeping billions of shillings under their beds while majority of Ugandans are wondering how to get only Shs500,” he observed.

"PAKALAST" IS BLASPHEMY SAYS MAO

2010-11-11T01:14:00.002+03:00

Pakalast is blasphemy, says Mao
Wednesday, 10th November, 2010

E-mail article

Print article
By Daniel Edyegu THE Democratic Party presidential candidate, Norbert Mao, has described the ‘Pakalast’ NRM slogan as blasphemy against the supremacy of God. Addressing a rally at Manjiya trading centre in the newly-created Manjiya district last week, Mao said only God merits the honour of ‘Pakalast’ since he is the sole author of life. He said while the ruling party is using the slogan to perpetuate dictatorial rule, God is in charge of Uganda’s destiny. “I am amazed when I hear people screaming ‘Museveni Pakalast’. Where is Mobutu (former DRC president)? Where is Amin (former Uganda president)? Amin used to call himself conquerer of the British empire, field marshal, life president and many other things. But when time came, he went. He even died an ordinary citizen.” “Museveni is the last breed of the post-independence presidents we are left with. When time comes, will Museveni defy God’s call? Will he tell God to wait since he is (Museveni) ‘Pakalast?’ Only God is ‘Pakalast’. God has kept me all this time because he knew I had a purpose to fulfill,” Mao said. Mao held other rallies in Bushika sub-county, Tsikholo and Bududa Corner trading centres in Manjiya and Bududa districts. However, a heavy afternoon downpour disrupted his rally at Tsikholo trading centre. His visit also coincided with the nomination of the district LC5 chairpersons, councillors and mayors. Mao told the residents that due to rampant corruption and misrule, Uganda had failed to attain equitable distribution of wealth. “Our country is endowed with wealth, but the poor are the majority. People say President Museveni is not corrupt, but only the people around him. I know of a proverb that says flies go where there is rot. So when you see flies swarming somewhere, you know something rotten is there,” Mao said. He urged the electorate to discard tribal sentiments and consider character and ability when electing presidential candidates. He told the electorate not succumb to intimidation, but report to him security personnel perpetrating the vice. “With the infamous Kiboko Squad in Kampala, we have already drafted our strategy. We told our supporters to take pictures of all those wielding sticks. After the chaos, we shall trace them.” “In Kampala, the Kiboko squad caned the FDC president Dr. Kiiza Besigye. How do you beat me? I’m not desperate to be president. We are all canvassing for votes. If you caned me, I would first put a side the issue of looking for votes and deal with you,” he said. He gave out his mobile telephone number to the residents

MAO DEMANDS FOR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS

2010-11-11T01:14:00.001+03:00

DEMOCRATIC Party presidential candidate Nobert Mao has called upon the Electoral Commission to display election results for two weeks before the actual tallying exercise. Mao told a rally in Kapchorwa that the commission should ensure that results are declared in the presence of candidates’ agents to guard against rigging. “I am asking the Electoral Commission to display results for a period of two weeks after the election. This will enable candidates and the people to compare results. If there is rigging, then we shall invite all our supporters to assemble,” he said. “We shall not carry any weapons but our voters cards. Then we shall demand for fresh counting because we cannot accept rigging,” he added. Mao noted that when he contested against a minister in Gulu, it was his supporters that guarded against the rigging. “I know the Government will switch off telephones on voting day but we shall use satellite phones to reach our people,” he stated. Mao added that he would give out his phone contact so that the people could report those intimidating them. He pledged to remove political positions like that of the resident district commissioners and their deputies, as well as presidential advisers. Mao said DP had undertaken reforms and appealed to its members who defected to other parties to return. He noted that DP was not a party for Baganda and Catholics, but that it welcomed all Ugandans. Earlier on arrival, Mao’s entourage had a bitter exchange with a Police officer, who demanded to know where they would hold their rally. Mao urged elders in Kapchorwa not to decampaign the youth during the elections, saying this country required youthful leaders. He, however, said Museveni was old and unable to lead the country after failing to bring the desired change over the past 25 years. Mao noted that Museveni’s time as president had expired and advised him to look after his cattle in Rwakitura and have a chance of attending to his grandchildren

DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO REDUCE LEGISLATORS PAY

2010-11-08T21:05:00.002+03:00

Sironko
The Democratic Party presidential candidate, Mr Norbert Mao, has promised to reduce the remunerations for Members of Parliament to Shs4 million. MPs currently earn over Shs13 million inclusive of allowances and mileage depending on the location of their constituency.
Mr Mao while addressing a rally at Muyembe Sub-county in Sironko District explained that people tend to struggle to be elected MPs purposely to earn big remunerations and allowances and once in Parliament, they completely forget to serve the people they represent. “Our target once we take over power is to reduce the remunerations to Shs4 million to ensure that the legislators come to Parliament to give service,” he said.
Criticises debates
Mr Mao criticised the quality of debate exhibited by the National Resistance Movement legislators in the Eighth Parliament, saying they have apparently been reduced to caucus level where they just come to defend government’s positions. “We are coming with a change to revive Parliamentary debates to ensure the House remains with its independence and dignity instead of supporting certain positions,” Mr Mao said. He blamed the government for creating very many districts but without services to be delivered to the people. “The districts are being dished out like plates without food on them,” he said.
While at a rally in Budadiri Town Council, Mr Mao said his party will put in place adequate health facilities to reduce the maternal and infant mortality rates that are now on the increase. He said his vision was to ensure quality education for Ugandans.

MAO LEADING THE CYBER SPACE RACE

2010-11-07T23:42:00.002+03:00

Apart from having the biggest number of presidential candidates in the history of the country, the forthcoming elections are also distinguishing themselves for unprecedented use of new social media.
The race is as hot in cyberspace as it is on the ground. Candidates Yoweri Museveni, Dr Kizza Besigye, Norbert Mao, Beti Kamya and Dr Bwanika are all using social networks such as Facebook and Twitter to mobilise supporters.
However, the DP leader seems to be heads and shoulders above all in the use of these tools. The use of social media in politics came to prominence in 2008 during the US presidential campaigns, where eventual winner Barack Obama was champion.
So far Mao, who has been likened to Obama because of his oratory skills, is the only candidate running a website entirely dedicated to the campaigns: www.norbertmao.org.
The homepage with the imposing picture of Mao has an active countdown to “Uganda’s new beginning” as well as links to his plans, donations and questions for him to answer. It also calls on the visitor to “become part of the dream” by joining “the Mao Team.”
There are also links to Twitter and Facebook with a click on the latter connecting you to his page where debate on various issues rages.
Very few Ugandans have access to the internet, 2.2 million out of a population of 31 million, according to the International Telecommunications Union. Of these, a few would probably vote.
Nevertheless, online social networking sites provide an alternative and easy way for like-minded people to connect with one another, share ideas and form communities. In this game where every vote counts, the candidates, or their strategists are leaving nothing to chance.
When Mao told this paper last week that he is the most popular candidate on Facebook, the feeling was that he was blowing his own trumpet. Well, every man thinks he has got the prettiest wife back home!
Then a visit to Mao’s Facebook page revealed a few things. At the last count, he had 10,860 “friends” and his page is most interactive with many supporters being part of it. In fact there is a post for every rally he addresses with pictures to boot.
“I think it will be a huge change 4 all Ugandans Norbert 2 be a Ugandan president 2011 pakalast,” says one supporter.
Other entries, picked at random, run:
DP Forever! Mao is the man to vote- we need generational shift.
I think we need a civilian president to prove that Uganda is moving forward in the realms of democracy.
Do it like Obama to have the last laugh Chairman Mao.
Mr. President, I’m going to write on your page every day until I see momentum in your campaign.
To those who ‘fought’, we say: Keep your past but let us have our future!
Another obviously humourous supporter urges voters to embrace Mao because he has a “ballistic” wife. Naomi is the only candidate’s spouse to have so far made news of her own because of her looks.
On the other hand, Museveni has four Facebook accounts on the last count. One has 747 friends, while another has 1,214. On one of his accounts, Museveni says:
“The struggle we are having now is to ensure that we get you employment”, while another reads: “We need to keep our traditions intact, put our poems in your songs so that they are not forgotten. We need those poems”.
The latter comment is next to a video of his rap song that seems to have resonated well with the youth. As a matter of fact, many of the youth visiting the site promise to vote for Museveni basing entirely on his song, which has also received a lot of hits on YouTube.
The more ingenious Ugandans have come up with accounts such as ‘Museveni Must go home’ and ‘Museveni must resign’ dedicated entirely to bashing Museveni and drumming up support for his loss in the 2011 elections.
One post reads: “I just wish, this guy M7 new how much i hate him, the NRM think they untouchable, they ve turned our economy in to their own, stolen, killed, and they wnt 2 come back. 2 finish what was pending.”
But the Museveni supporters are also giving as good as they are getting. One of the president’s admirers wrote “oh plz u pple leave museveni alone,jst let him be...u dnt kne da gold in him.nze ama museven i love u so much bse...hehe.lo”.
Besigye’s two accounts, which have 884 and 5,000 friends respectively, are lacking in terms of activity, although that is compensated for by his exuberant supporters. FDC’s homepage, www.fdcuganda.org doesn’t offer much apart from announcing that Besigye has been nominated.
Does anyone know Beti Kamya’s age? Although her Facebook page states that she is a widow and mother of two, the year of her birth is not mentioned. At least the Uganda Federal Alliance president does mention that “Ugandans, watch this space. This is going to be fire”.
There is also an out pouring of support for her candidature on her wall. Some of the postings read thus:
May the almighty God bless you in your political career. Wishing you success.
There you go!!! We are there for you! Beti, break the egg so that we eat the yolk.
We all know that infront of NRM is the Garden of Eden, behind them is the buried Uganda. Let’s dig it out!
Abed Bwanika’s latest posting by press time was of his first rally in Kyadondo. Jaberi Bidandi Ssali of the People’s Progressive Party, UPC’s Olara Otunnu and Sam Lubega, an independent, don’t have any links that this writer is aware of.
With the candidates having just 112 days to traverse the entire country, alternative platforms for campaigning, such as the internet and phone text messages, are bound to be a welcome substitute.

DP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MAO AT GLANCE

2010-11-07T02:59:00.003+03:00

DP Presidential Candidate Nobert Mao has changed the image of the party because of the following attributes that has made him stand out in the first week of the campaing. Mao is currently winding up the Eastern tour is the youngest candidate but represents the oldest party DP in the 2011 presidential elections.
Mao is also the only candidate who has a track record of winning right from Namilyango college where he Head-Prefect, Makerere University Guild President, two time MP representing Gulu municipality and now currently Chairman Local government Gulu District.
Mao has always overcome being an uderdog to election victory by trouncing prominent figures like Brig. Noble Mayombo (R.I.P) for Makerere Guild President, Hon. Betty Bigombe for MP Gulu Municipality and Col. Walter Ochora the latest casuality to Mao's bid of becoming Gulu District Chairman.
Mao also represents a generation of youth mainly those born after the 1966 crisis in which the central government stormed the Kabaka's palace and led to the introduction of the politics of the gun and instability.
Mao's candidature is also symbolic of civilian rule in a situation where Uganda has never overcome the trauma of military dictatorship. Uganda still remains one of the few countries that have never had a peaceful handover of power and Mao has done a lot to instill confidence in Ugandans that government can be changed through the power of the ballot.
Mao who is a lawyer by training has mixed parantage with a munyankore mother and an Acholi father yet his ability to speak Luo, Luganda, English and Runyankore makes him multi-lingual and a candidate who can easily bridge the South and the North in Uganda.
After successful nomination as DP Presidential candidate, Mao addressed a mammoth crowd at his inagural rally at Kawempe Growers ground in Kawempe.

He later campaigned in Luweero where he told the residents that he's the only candidate without blood on his hands. Mao thinks that the movement is equally quilty of the killings in Luweero arguing that in a war, the one who wins should have killed more, likening it to football in which the one who scores more goals carries the day.

At another rally in Matugga, Mao told residents that Museveni was forced to switch back CBS unconditionally targeting Buganda votes but after the elections, he would not hesitate to switch it off and this time might take longer to switch it back.
On his second day of campaigns in Makindye Kampala, Mao paid a visit to the former DP President Paul Kawanga Semogerere and later addressed rallies in Makindye division.
Mao particulary warned the Baganda against the IPC-SSUUBI deal saying its a Kiwani (fake). Mao reasoned that as a lawyer, the genuine agreement should be signed by the Katikkiro and Attorney General Apollo Makubuya. He wondered whether if Mayanja Nkangi who was a former Katikkiro also signed a similar agreement with Museveni, that would be binding?
The next leg was in Mayuge where he attacked NRM as party that blocks talent in reference to Bukenya's failed bid to become NRM secretary Genera. Mao applauded DP for giving him an opportunity to take over from Ben Kiwanuka, Kawanga Semogerere, Sebaana Kizito and now himself all based on merit.
Mao also named his campaign team headed by former President General Sebaana Kizito and Kyadondo South MP Issah Kikungwe as campaign manager.
Mao completed his week with mamoth rally in Mbale, the very place he was elected last year as a DP flag bearer. So to him, it was like homecoming.
Mao has also made efforts towards reconciliation within DP. His visit in the company of the Cardinal to former President General Kawanga Semogerere has started to bear fruits with the of senior council JB Kakooza, who formerly belongs to the anti-Mbale and founders of Ssuubi 2011 returned to the fold and will soon be nominated as the DP candidate for Kampala City Mayor

MAO CRITICISES EC ON VOTERS CARDS

2010-11-07T02:53:00.000+03:00

Democratic Party president Nobert Mao yesterday criticised plans by the Electoral Commission not to issue voters’ cards ahead of next year’s general elections.
Speaking at a breakfast meeting organised by a democracy advocacy agency, Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE) in Kampala on Thursday, Mr Mao said his party will not buy the national electoral body’s idea.EC chairman Dr Badru Kiggundu had earlier been tasked by Doboozi editor-in-chief Kalungi Serumaga to explain why the EC has decided not to issue voters cards.
Kiggundu urges
In a separate interview, Dr Kiggundu told Sunday Monitor that the voters will only be required to present themselves at the polling stations and their details will be confirmed then.
Dr Kiggundu, however, said those already having the cards should carry them along to their polling stations on the voting day. However, Mr Mao castigated the move by EC as a ploy to manoeuvre the electoral process and leave loopholes for open rigging of votes. He said he will seek audience with the EC to get clarity on how the voting exercise is to be carried out without voters’ cards.
“The EC has no excuse not to issue voters cards because a German firm [Muelhbauer High Tech International] was contracted to process the cards for all Ugandans who are eligible to vote,” Mr Mao said

NOBERT MAO SLAMS NRM ELECTION SLOGAN

2010-11-07T02:52:00.000+03:00

THE Democratic Party presidential candidate, Nobert Mao, has described the ‘Pakalast’ NRM slogan as blasphemy against the supremacy of God. Addressing a rally at Manjiya trading centre in the newly created Manjiya District on Thursday, Mao stressed that only God merits the honour of ‘Pakalast’ since he is the sole author of life. He said though the ruling party is using the slogan to perpetuate dictatorial rule, God is in charge of Uganda’s destiny.

DP NATIONAL CHAIRMAN NOMINATED FOR JINJA MAYOR

2010-11-05T15:27:00.001+03:00

Jinja mayor Baswari Muhammed Kezaala was yesterday among the first candidates nominated to contest for the post in 2011. Mr Kezaala, a member of the Democratic Party, was accompanied by the district party chairman Sam Kitanda to Busoga Square where nominations took place.
He said he is seeking re-election so that he accomplishes a dream of making Jinja a city. The Jinja central division speaker, Mr Andrew Kasigwa, was also nominated for the same position on the FDC ticket.
Mr Kasigwa said he will revamp the deteriorating education standards in the municipality once he is voted mayor. Mr Majidu Batambuze, an NRM candidate, will be nominated today for the same seat.

NRM PARTY BLOCKS TALENT SAYS MAO

2010-11-05T15:17:00.000+03:00

The Democratic Party presidential candidate, Mr Norbert Mao, has described the National Resistance Movement as a static party that does not provide an opportunity for people to contest for higher positions in the party.Addressing Bududa residents yesterday during the second day of his tour of Bugisu sub-region, Mr Mao said the NRM does not choose leaders on merit and lacks new ideas to govern the country.
Referring to the NRM as a grass-thatched house where the owners cover themselves with old sacks for blankets, Mr Mao said it would be self defeating for one to enter the hut and ask for a blanket.
He said when Vice President Gilbert Bukenya entered the house and asked for a blanket he was shown the exit, and that to date, Mr Bukenya knows where he belongs and that to survive the house, he has had to cover himself with a dry sack like others.
“A party that does not open gates for others to stand on merit is not only doing a disservice to Uganda but also killing the potential in the would-be good leaders. DP had late Benedict Kiwanuka, Dr Kawanga Ssemwogerere, then came Mr Ssebana Kizito and now the gates are open for Mr Mao, a young man like most of you to take on the leadership of the party. This is what a national party is supposed to be,” said Mr Mao as the crowd shouted “Obama, Obama”.
He revealed that although Prof. Bukenya and the Minister of Trade, Mr Kahinda Otafiire are quite, they have been shown that in NRM you don’t just jump in and start armtwisting people to change the course of things.
He said President Museveni’s polices, the rampant corruption and high taxes have made Ugandans poor, adding that the DP will address these problems.

DP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MAO TO FIGHT ELECTION MALPRACTICE

2010-11-05T15:15:00.001+03:00

By Daniel Edyegu
THE Democratic Party (DP) presidential candidate, Nobert Mao, has told the people of Bufumbo County in Mbale district that he will use people power to win next year’s elections. This was after the residents challenged him on Wednesday about what he would do about voter intimidation and rigging. They cited the 2001 and 2006 elections that were marred by intimidation of voters. Mao urged the electorate to guard their votes without fear of intimidation. As a presidential candidate, Mao said he had only one ballot that would not yield much impact if the electorate did not guard against election malpractice. “We are aware of the possibilities of intimidation and have discussed ways of handling them. If Electoral Commission Chairman Badru Kiggundu attempts to manipulate these elections, I will call you to the streets and we will count the voters, not ballots. “If that fails, then Museveni will remain the president of the ballots and I will be that of the people,” Mao said. Earlier, Mao met Muslim leaders at a mosque on Republic Street. Thereafter, he proceeded to Bufumbo sub-county for his first rally in the district. Residents wielding hoes, the DP party symbol, lined the roads and chanted: “Mao oyee! DP oyee!” Most of them demanded for posters and Mao’s t-shirts, which were in limited supply. “Tuuwe ku posters (give us posters)”, they yelled as the convoy snaked through villages. Mao later addressed rallies at Nakaloke sub-county and Naboa road in Industrial Division, Mbale town. He told the residents that Museveni’s rhetoric of coercing the electorate to return him to power could no longer stand. “He (Museveni) used to intimidate people, saying if you didn’t vote him, he would go back to the bush. Museveni can’t manage guerilla life anymore. He’s aged and used to soft life. The last time I saw him illustrating military drills, he was taking cover on a mattress. Where will you get the mattress in the bush?” Mao asked. “Besides, he used to tell people that if you vote him out, Joseph Kony (the Lord’s Resistance Army rebel leader) would wreak more havoc. I went to the bush and sought dialogue with Kony. Now that he’s out of way, I don’t know what excuse Museveni will give,” Mao wondered.