The tenure of the three term Democratic Party President Norbert Mao is coming to an end.
At the very inception of his presidency, he branded a campaign to heel a nation, which described as one in despair as he sought the presidency of this country in 2011.
But like the narrative goes, power is transient, for it leaves one hand to another, the Norbert, Chairman Mao now works on a cooperative framework agreement with H.E the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as his Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister.
He still clings on top of an inverted pyramid of the Party’s leadership as the President General.
For a long time, a number of people have sought to replace him as DP President. Even when Erias Lukwago’s narratives of the best DP leaders in Joseph Kasolo, Ben Kiwanuka, and Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere, Mao can never match, efforts to unseat the oratory guru from the helm of DP remained unyielding.
Upon the institution of the Cooperation Agreement between NRM and DP in 2022, many people hinted on a possibility to overthrow Norbert Mao from the DP Presidency.
However, until now, deliberations have remained ongoing. Will Mao relinquishing party leadership? Does it remain his bait for the Cooperation Agreement? Or will Richard Sebamala take the baton to lead the party? Buikwe South MP Bayiga Lulume too wants to take over?
Questions have been raised on whether Mao remains productive to the party. Such Questions have been raised by Mao’s Vice President Dennis Fred Mukasa Mbidde, his long term ally.
Richard Sebamala, the Member of Parliament for Bukoto Central Constituency, Masaka district has expressed interest in vying for DP President sparking mixed reactions with many calling him “over ambitious” and others saying he’s still new in the party to aspire for the topmost office.
Both assertions would have been correct if you are talking about THE MIGHTY DP of the OLD DAYS, not this one that has been abused, battered and bruised.
One that finds itself in a quagmire with a party President serving as a Minister in the ruling government that DP is supposed to be fighting to topple with a signed “cooperation agreement” that members never sanctioned.
DP, during it’s old days critically interrogated it’s Leaders because the calibre of DP followers/supporters were the most prominent, respected and noble among society and these had influence on the leaders of DP and would often guide on the affairs and going ons of the party unlike now when DP is (like it or not) a shadow of it’s former self.
DP in it’s current state, being run by a clique of self seeking scavengers who neither account nor take advice from anyone or care about the party’s public image is a party in a ditch that simply needs rescue.
“When a vehicle is stranded on the road like DP is at the moment, you don’t look for the most smartly dressed individual but the strongest and capable as long as his actions show that he’s on the same rescue mission. The issue of his driving skills can be discussed once you’re out of the pit. You surely can’t be discussing driving when the vehicle is in the ditch, I think that is lack of focus.” One DP leader said.
He added; First, i think all those opposed to Mao’s leadership must work together if they are to achieve their goals. I don’t believe anyone on his own (without cooperating with others) has the capacity to win over Mao’s curcoon. So the bickering amongst yourselves will only help Mao. Secondly, i would wish that Dr. Lulume takes over DP from Mao because of his vast experience within the party and knowledge of the Party roots and tribulations many of which he has been part of and knows better than anyone. But it will take more than just wishes to rid DP of Norbert Mao and you know what they say about wishes.”
On the other hand, Eng. Sebamala having proven himself since his arrival on the National Scene is better than Mao at DP and that’s enough for me.
I first heard of the name Eng.Sebamala around 2018 around the formation of People Power. He talked of his roots being in DP Kyanamukaaka and how his grandfather was an active member of DP in the 80’s.
He came with a lot of energy and was very instrumental in some areas (for another day) during the early stages of People Power. He was “talking big” about defeating VP Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi and those of us who had been around for some time and thought we knew what we knew saw this as simply big talk BUT guess what, we were wrong.
Because we knew almost nothing about the guy except that he was a new comer in politics parliament, we thought Sebamala needed a couple of terms to cope on the National Scene even though he had majestically trounced a seating Vice President.
Since his election, Hon.Sebamala has consistently appeared on more radio & TV programs than most members of Parliament. In Parliament, he is active both in committees and on the floor.
In his Bukoto Central Constituency, reports indicate that he has 80% chances of returning to parliament attributed to his works there.
His consistency has challenged and disproved some of us.
Sebamala is being accused of an “attempted coup” in the recently concluded DP National Council that took place in Soroti. If this is true, there must be something unique to watch about the character in the names of Richard Sebamala. And if i was a member of DP trying to pull my party out of the ditch, i wouldn’t look further than Sebamala who seems to already have his hands on the problem and only needs help and technical support to drag it out, The rest can be sorted once we’re on the road.
Hon. Sebamala is not an average Member Of Parliament, he’s just new in politics, but his educational background and work experience in public service earned him professional knowledge in some unique areas that have propelled him.
“All we need is capable democrat to take on DP,,those talks of who is having the longest history in DP ranks r expired now,,Mao had a long history in DP ranks since school days bt where has he led us,” Ntuuwa John Baptist, another DP leader said.
