Mao Meets Sebaggala
Apr 30, 2003
PRESIDENTIAL aspirants Hajji Nasser Sebaggala and Norbert Mao met on Sunday in London to discuss their plans for the 2006 polls.
By Okello Jabweli
PRESIDENTIAL aspirants Hajji Nasser Sebaggala and Norbert Mao met on Sunday in London to discuss their plans for the 2006 polls.
Sebaggala, a former Kampala mayor and Mao, the Gulu Municipality Member of Parliament, have expressed interest in running for the presidency on the Democratic Party (DP) ticket. Both are members of Uganda’s oldest political party.
Mao yesterday said he had initiated the meeting on the advice of young DP members.
“We met for several hours. They (some UYD members) thought I and Hajji should not be at loggerheads,†Mao said. The MP was transiting through London from a visit to Washington.
Sebaggala, who was disqualified from contesting in the last presidential elections on account of lack of academic papers, is in London for remedial courses to enable him to run in 2006.
He was one of several people who down-played Mao’s candidature when the youthful MP declared his intention to contest the forthcoming elections last week.
The ex-mayor was last week quoted by the local press as questioning Mao’s loyalty to DP and urging party supporters to reject his candidature.
Sebaggala reportedly questioned Mao’s commitment to the party in light of his non-involvement in most of its recent political and legal battles.
Mao shot back accusing Sebaggala of trying to whip Ganda tribal feelings against his candidature.
Mao yesterday said he and Sebaggala had issued a joint statement but declined to give details.
“The document had to be sent back and forth for scrutiny and signing. I believe I will have the final copy before Friday,†Mao, who also intends to address a press conference on Friday said.
Mao said the meeting was cordial and that the ex-mayor had accompanied him to the airport.
Meanwhile, DP has embarked on a rejuvenation campaign ahead of the formal opening up of the political space.
Sources yesterday said the mobilisation effort being spearheaded by the youth wing, the Uganda Young Democrats, involves recruitment of new members and selling party membership cards.
UYD secretary general Michael Mabikke said their teams held workshops and other mobilisation activities in the east, north and Buganda.
“We are now heading west, rebuilding all our structures from the grassroots,†Mabikke said.
Ends
PRESIDENTIAL aspirants Hajji Nasser Sebaggala and Norbert Mao met on Sunday in London to discuss their plans for the 2006 polls.
Sebaggala, a former Kampala mayor and Mao, the Gulu Municipality Member of Parliament, have expressed interest in running for the presidency on the Democratic Party (DP) ticket. Both are members of Uganda’s oldest political party.
Mao yesterday said he had initiated the meeting on the advice of young DP members.
“We met for several hours. They (some UYD members) thought I and Hajji should not be at loggerheads,†Mao said. The MP was transiting through London from a visit to Washington.
Sebaggala, who was disqualified from contesting in the last presidential elections on account of lack of academic papers, is in London for remedial courses to enable him to run in 2006.
He was one of several people who down-played Mao’s candidature when the youthful MP declared his intention to contest the forthcoming elections last week.
The ex-mayor was last week quoted by the local press as questioning Mao’s loyalty to DP and urging party supporters to reject his candidature.
Sebaggala reportedly questioned Mao’s commitment to the party in light of his non-involvement in most of its recent political and legal battles.
Mao shot back accusing Sebaggala of trying to whip Ganda tribal feelings against his candidature.
Mao yesterday said he and Sebaggala had issued a joint statement but declined to give details.
“The document had to be sent back and forth for scrutiny and signing. I believe I will have the final copy before Friday,†Mao, who also intends to address a press conference on Friday said.
Mao said the meeting was cordial and that the ex-mayor had accompanied him to the airport.
Meanwhile, DP has embarked on a rejuvenation campaign ahead of the formal opening up of the political space.
Sources yesterday said the mobilisation effort being spearheaded by the youth wing, the Uganda Young Democrats, involves recruitment of new members and selling party membership cards.
UYD secretary general Michael Mabikke said their teams held workshops and other mobilisation activities in the east, north and Buganda.
“We are now heading west, rebuilding all our structures from the grassroots,†Mabikke said.
Ends