All those that have been wondering on whether Democratic Party president, Norbert Mao, was serious on running for country’s topmost job have been answered. The Electoral Commission Chairman, Justice Simon Byabakama, on Tuesday declared Mao as duly nominated candidate for 2021 presidential race.
Mao received clearance certificate for his endorsement signatures in the morning and he was nominated in the afternoon. Mao and his DP party submitted endorsement signatures at the weekend something that left many thinking he was joking.
This is Mao’s second shot at country’s number one job. He first contested in 2011 where he came in a distant fourth position. Next year’s presidential race has attracted 10 candidates.
Apart from Yoweri Museveni who has been in power since 1986 and Mao who is running for the second time, the rest are first time candidates. New entrants include former security minister, Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde, former Chief of Defence Forces –CDF Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu Gregg, Fred Mwesigye, Joseph Kabuleta, Linda Nancy Kalembe, John Katumba, Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine and FDC’s Patrick Oboi Amuriat.
Although Museveni faces two of his former bush war comrades, his main challenger, according to opinion polls conducted by, Research World International, is Bobi Wine who was only four years old when he came to power. Bobi Wine has a huge following of the youth who assimilate his life’s journey to theirs. The singer who might become Uganda’s leading opposition figure grew up facing numerous life hurdles. He was once drug smoker and slept in slums commonly known as Ghetto.
Museveni’s security agencies on Tuesday unleashed teargas and bullets against Bobi Wine’s supporters leaving scores nursing wounds. At least four dozens of Bobi Wine and Amuriat’s supporters were arrested and detained.