Mao blasts NUP over talking ill about Uganda
The Democratic Party (DP) has blasted the National Unity Platform’s (NUP) leadership for allegedly calling on the international community to stop funding Uganda.
Nobert Mao, the DP president general and the justice and constitutional affairs minister, said NUP led by its president Robert Kyagulanyi, has on several occasions used international platforms to “defame” the country, something he said is a dangerous move.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, May 16, at the DP offices in Kampala, Mao described the act as “hate speech” which he said is a bad example from the NUP leadership.
“We have seen our friends of NUP on CNN, BBC and other international platforms talking ill about Uganda. This is a misguided move. I think true leadership would ensure that they utilise the platform to market our country to attract tourists to increase revenue,” Mao said.
Mao’s remarks come at the time Kyagulanyi is on a visit to Denmark.
He said NUP leaders and followers subscribe to “regime change” school of thought which he said makes them different from other opposition parties such as DP.
“They are only focusing on regime change. NUP fundamentalists think once we have a change of guard, all our problems shall be over. Ours is different, we stand for constructive engagement,” he said.
Mao said Ugandans living in Kampala should demand services from NUP since the party has more members in the city’s leadership compared to other parties.
“We can blame Kampala potholes on NUP leaders because they are literally in charge of Kampala,” Mao said.
However, commenting on the matter, John Nambeshe, the opposition chief whip, said the opposition’s role is to check and awaken the government to deliver services.
Nambeshe insisted that the platform used does not matter as long as the issues raised are addressed.
“If the government wants us to sing their praises, they should then prove that they deserve them. We cannot praise you when the people are not getting the services they need,” Nambeshe said.
