"Let Kabobi Shed Tears If He Feels Like It, We Are Busy Planning With Museveni to Pass Power to Any Politician Besides NUP" Mao Spills

Ugandan opposition leader and Justice Minister, Norbert Mao, has stirred controversy after revealing details of secret talks about the country’s future leadership. Mao said that while Bobi Wine is free to express his frustration, discussions are ongoing with President Museveni about transferring power to another politician.

“Let Bobi Wine cry if he wants, for us, we are talking with Museveni about transferring power to another politician besides him,” Mao told reporters, emphasizing that NUP and Bobi Wine are not part of these talks.

According to Mao, Bobi Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) is considered “toxic” in political circles. “His politics has poison, and politics is not like that. So Bobi Wine and his party cannot be trusted with power,” Mao added, clarifying why NUP is being excluded.

Mao further revealed that the transition of power will not be determined by the ballot box as many people expect. Instead, it is being decided through negotiations in “special rooms,” involving multiple political groups and leaders.

He listed some of the parties engaged in the talks, including the Democratic Party, Democratic Front of Mpuuga, National Resistance Movement (NRM), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), JEEMA, People’s Labour Union (PLU) of Gen Muhoozi, and Uganda People’s Congress (UPC).

Mao explained that these groups are collaborating to identify a leader who can take over from President Museveni in the future. This plan, he says, is meant to ensure a smooth transition without including what he describes as “toxic politics.”

Despite the controversial nature of the remarks, Mao stressed that Bobi Wine’s feelings are irrelevant to the process. “Bobi Wine can cry all he likes, but we are in talks with Museveni to give power to any politician apart from NUP,” he said.

Mao’s statements have shocked many opposition supporters, who feel that excluding NUP undermines democratic principles. He defended the exclusion, arguing that the political approach and alliances matter more than popular sentiment.

Observers say Mao’s revelation exposes a secretive side of Uganda’s political negotiations. The involvement of multiple parties outside NUP suggests a carefully planned power-sharing strategy among selected political groups.

As the story unfolds, it remains unclear who will eventually be chosen to lead Uganda after Museveni. For now, Mao insists the process is ongoing behind closed doors, with NUP left on the outside looking in.