Opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye has reacted to the news of the appointment of Democratic Party (DP) president and chairman general Norbert Mao as the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs in the government of President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni, post-independent Uganda’s longest serving ruler.
Mao, a man who has for many years been accused of the opposition of working with Museveni and his National Resistance Movement, is in the spotlight after he met Museveni at State House Entebbe and was, hours later, appointed Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
According to Besigye, Mao should be ‘congratulated’ for working hard towards his appointment. In his remarks during the meeting at State House Entebbe, Mao described the cooperation agreement between DP and NRM as “unprecedented.”
Besigye has suggested that if all Mao has been fighting for has been a ministerial appountment, then he has “arrived.”
According to the four-time presidential candidate, Mao can now chill with the the likes of information minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi, the Kinkizi East MP.
He also argued that it was becoming increasingly clear who was on the opposition side and keen on ending Museveni’s rule.
“I think that Hon Mao needs to be “ congratulated” for ARRIVING after “a long journey” and for the ‘unprecedented step’ taken- using his own words! Hon Baryomunsi now has good company. The struggle to end Junta (gun) rule continues and will intensify as the arena becomes clearer,” wrote Besigye.
Norbert Mao was appointed minister in a mini cabinet reshuffle announced by Museveni on July 21. In the reshuffle, Minister Peter Ogwang was placed under first lady Janet Museveni, while Hamson Obua ate big. A female MP was also appointed minister. (Read Story Here).