Mao attacks Museveni over Buganda radio closure

Mr Mao is the second candidate to be handed a party flag to challenge Museveni in the next general elections after the People’s Progressive Party endorsed its president and former Local Government Minister Jaberi Bidandi Ssali.

Masaka

The newly-elected president general of the Democratic Party, Mr Norbert Mao, used his two-day tour of Masaka to turn his guns on Mr Museveni and his thorny relation with Buganda.

Mr Mao, the first non-Muganda to lead the DP executive, criticised the President for shutting Buganda Kingdom’s Central Broadcasting Services (CBS) Radio and demanded that it be re-opened.

He also criticised Museveni for personalising Buganda Kingdom issues, saying institutions like the Media Council should have played a central role to resolve the misunderstandings.

“It is clear that he wants to destroy the kingdom by denying it a voice and revenue. He wants to frustrate the kingdom’s efforts to grant school bursaries to your daughters and sons. If it was the issue of people abusing him using the radio, why didn’t he deal with those people as individuals?”

Mr Mao, who was received by large enthusiastic crowds at all his events including a prayer session at Kitovu Catholic Church, sought advantage over Museveni on the federo debate pledging that he would grant the kingdom its wish of a federal status if elected President in next year’s general elections.
He, however, had a brush with the police on Sunday after his convoy was blocked by the force.

Mr Mao was blocked as he tried to proceed to Buwunga Sub-county but the police said the route was not on plan.

The acting District Police Commander, Mr Titus Byaruhanga, told him he could not take any other route out of Masaka other that the one he had used to get to Buyaga in Kyanamukaaka Sub-county where he had addressed a well-attended rally.

“There are a few things we are doing and we want to ensure we give him protection, so he cannot continue,” Mr Byaruhanga, told Daily Monitor.

According to DP Secretary General, Mr Mathias Nsubuga, Mao was expected to use the road from Buyaga through Buwunga Sub-county and back to Masaka Town before proceeding to Gomba.

Mr Mao is the second candidate to be handed a party flag to challenge Museveni in the next general elections after the People’s Progressive Party endorsed its president and former Local Government Minister Jaberi Bidandi Ssali.