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Justice Minister Norbert Mao has urged Oposition political parties to denounce the extreme elements whom he says are tribalising their politics.

“For those of us who are in parties that are said to be small, we believe that we must reduce tension in Uganda and counter the language of those who are preaching hatred with the language of love. We must denounce the extreme elements who are tribalising our politics,” he says.

Mao made the call on Thursday, October 26, 2023, during the burial of Mbarara North MP Robert Rukaari’s father, Maitland Lawrence Rukaari.

Mzee Rukaari, a renowned farmer and businessman in the Ankole region, succumbed to diabetes at age 89 at Mbarara Hospital on Monday, October 23.

He was buried in Nkokonjeru ward in Mbarara City.

“Let’s attack each other’s ideas rather than each other because we need each other. Even a party like mine through which I have joined the Government, we can contribute. Even the small can make a condition in unforeseen circumstances,” Mao, who is also the president general of the Democratic Party (DP), told the mourners.

He said sacrifice is needed now in Uganda more than ever: “We can give lectures about politics, but this is the time for us to put our interests aside. We must risk being insulted and ridiculed for what we believe to be right,” the minister said.

Many of us, he added, are now like that voice in the wilderness: “Sometimes we are misunderstood, but we must insist that Uganda is one and that we must go back to that place where we love each other regardless of tribe and political party. Surely, there must be something which is above political party interests".

Early last month, National Unity Platform party leader Robert Kyagulanyi came under fire for making a myriad of claims in Luganda against President Yoweri Museveni and his government which appeared to whip up tribalistic sentiments in the central region.

Kyagulanyi was addressing a large crowd at Kasana playground in Luwero district.