The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, has made it clear that the National Unity Platform (NUP and its leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) will not be part of Uganda’s ongoing political transition discussions, describing their politics as “toxic” and unfit to shape the country’s future.
Speaking during a a DP press engagement, Mao revealed that serious conversations on Uganda’s transition are already underway — but in boardrooms, not in rallies or television studios.
“There are other groups who we call regime change fundamentalists whose politics is poisonous and cannot be allowed to take charge,” Mao said. “That’s why they are out of our equation of transitioning. They can make all the drama they want but they will never see their evil plans realized.”
Mao stressed that the current process is being steered by leaders from both government and opposition, citing President Museveni, himself, Mathias DF’a Mpuuga, UPC’s Jimmy Akena, and possibly veteran statesman Bidandi Ssali as some of the figures engaged.
“In one room you have Museveni, myself, Mathias Mpuuga, Jimmy Akena, hopefully the Bidandi Ssali’s. These are the people who are going to see the transition of this regime. The process is already ongoing and it’s not what your naked eye can see or your TVs,” he remarked.
He added that the media only reports what has already been decided, emphasizing that “the real transition is happening quietly behind closed doors.”
Turning to the 2026 general elections, Mao predicted a drastically different campaign season, warning Ugandans not to expect the noisy, crowd-filled rallies of the past.
“Transition is not something that elections will bring about,” Mao said. “In fact, these elections will be the quietest you have ever seen. There will be no these things of eggali (huge crowds). You announce where your rally is going to be, you drive silently there, you find people and address them, then wait to see if they vote for you or not.”
Apparently, Mao’s remarks stress the growing tension between NUP and other political actors who see themselves as central to Uganda’s next phase of leadership. By branding Bobi Wine and his allies as disruptive, the Justice Minister is drawing a firm line between what he calls “constructive actors” and those he insists will “never lead this country.”
