Colleagues who studied political science will tell you that in the political field, there is no permanent enemy.
I have seen on social media where writers resurrected old statements of Hon. Mao against the current speakers, yet they do not understand that in politics people disagree and agree based on principles. That is why you see President Museveni has never had personal problems with the opposition.
Beatrice Anywar was in Forum for Democratic Change and was called Mama Mabira, but she was later made a minister. Rt. Hon. Speaker Anita Annet Among was also in FDC before crossing over and is now in the Central Executive Committee of the National Resistance Movement.
Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, the Deputy Speaker, was once an FDC youth chairman, but now he is the Deputy Speaker. Betty Amongi is in Uganda People’s Congress, yet she still serves as a minister in the NRM government. There are many others, which shows that in politics we agree and disagree.
Whoever thinks Hon. Mao is under pressure should explain what kind of pressure it is. Is it pressure from organising the party after winning the speakership, or is it some other pressure that we do not understand?
But Hon. Mao, whom people have called all sorts of names, including a bat and a prostitute, may surprise them and win the speakership.
People think Hon. Mao is weak because he has no money, and that is fine. But remember, when you see a man staggering on the road, you should not undermine his strength. If you want to know whether that staggering man is strong, let him enter a pit latrine whose door has no lock inside, then try to open the door. You will find that one hand is holding his trousers while the other is holding the door shut, and that is when you realise his strength.
To conclude, let us wait. It is just a few days remaining, and we shall see who wins this race.
My prayer is that it should not cause diarrhea and stroke on one side, but for me, I believe Hon. Mao’s side will be fine. End.
The writer is a senior veteran journalist.
