“If Bobi Wine Dies Now, NUP Flag Bearers Would Abandon The Party & Make New Posters Immediately" Norbert Mao Claims

Democratic Party (DP) President Norbert Mao, who also serves as Uganda’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, has boldly claimed that his party is the only one capable of surviving the death of a founding leader. Mao contrasted DP’s resilience with that of other parties, suggesting that NUP and NRM would struggle to continue if their leaders passed away.

DP, he said, has remained strong for nearly 50 years after the murder of its founding leader, Benedicto Kiwanuka. “We are the only party who lost our charismatic leader and remained strong 50 years later and still counting,” Mao said. He warned that if Bobi Wine were to die tonight, all NUP flag bearers would abandon their posts and print new campaign posters immediately.

Mao also extended this criticism to the ruling NRM, claiming that no one would wake up to continue working at Kyadondo the morning after President Museveni’s death. This, he suggested, shows the fragility of other political parties compared to DP.

In his speech, Mao also urged the government to check the social media accounts of youths applying for visas abroad, especially to Arab countries. He suggested that individuals who insult or abuse the President on platforms like TikTok should be blocked, framing it as a way to encourage responsible online behavior.

Mao did not spare NUP either, accusing it of merely posturing as a leading opposition party. He criticized NUP for failing to explain why NRM candidates face no opposition in key areas like Buganda. “They claim to be the leading opposition party with Buganda being their stronghold yet their red posters have no presence beyond Masaka Municipality,” he said.

Turning to local politics, Mao prepared for a showdown in Kampala, where his wife, Beatrice Mao, is running for Lord Mayor against incumbent Erias Lukwago. Mao promised to make the Kampala race even hotter than the presidential election, saying that Lukwago had no moral ground to criticize government spending on VIP treatment abroad since he himself receives similar treatment in India.

Mao demanded a public debate between Lukwago and Beatrice, predicting that the incumbent would be badly bruised politically. He called Lukwago Kampala’s “chief mourner,” good at public weeping but ineffective as a mayor. Mao also vowed to use Gen Salim Saleh’s handwritten notes to question Lukwago on accountability issues.

The DP president said his party was prepared to invest heavily in the Kampala election, with more than Shs10 billion from IPOD allocated to support Beatrice’s campaign. He praised her ability to mobilize large crowds, noting that she recently filled the Serena Conference Centre with supporters on the same day President Museveni celebrated his 81st birthday.

Mao outlined the upcoming campaign events across Kampala’s divisions, including Makindye, Central, Nakawa, and Rubaga. He also welcomed the ongoing rivalry between NUP’s Ronald Balimwezo and PFF’s Erias Lukwago, arguing that their competition would divide radical voters and help Beatrice capture moderate support.

Closing his remarks, Mao cracked jokes and exuded confidence in DP’s strategy. He insisted that the 2026 Kampala race would be full of surprises and reaffirmed his belief that DP’s experience and resilience make it unmatched in Uganda’s political landscape.