The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, has hinted at the possibility of members of opposition parties serving as ministers in the next government.
The Democratic Party (DP) president, also the parliamentary candidate in Gulu City, says the next administration would be a mixed government, using the Kiswahili word muchanganyiko to emphasise inclusivity across major political parties.
Speaking to Laroo–Pece Division councillors and political leaders in Gulu City on Saturday evening, Mao describes the coming five years as “special,” describing them as the sunset years of President Yoweri Museveni’s leadership.
He did not disclose specific names of individuals who could be appointed from the opposition.
He also did not reveal further about who and why he says NUP, FDC, or PFF could form part of the next government if the NRM presidential candidate, Yoweri Museveni, won the upcoming election.
Mao and the former Security Chief, David Pulkol, are closely linked to President Museveni’s young brother, Caleb Akandwanaho, aka Salim Saleh.
Many have indicated that Retired General Salim Saleh plays a critical role in determining who gets appointed to the cabinet.
Mao is serving under Museveni under an MOU or cooperation agreement with the ruling NRM led by Yoweri Museveni.
Other opposition figures in Museveni’s cabinet include Betty Amongi, a UPC supporter and wife of UPC President Jimmy Akena.
Mao also condemned the canning of civilians in Gulu City on December 6 during a visit by NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, saying Uganda’s multi-party democracy should allow free political choice.
Efforts to obtain a comment from NUP spokesperson and Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, were unsuccessful by press time, as he did not respond to phone calls.
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