Mao wants to address NRM caucus

Kampala, Uganda | GODFREY SSALI | The president of Democratic Party Norbert Mao has said that he will write to the Government Chief Whip to allow him address the NRM Parliamentary caucus.

Mao who addressed a press conference at the party head quarters noted that he is responding to the whip Ruth Nankabirwa’s advise that there is need for dialogue over issues like the controversial age limit removal bill that has seen a standoff between the ruling party and the opposition.

Nankabirwa last month proposed that the opposition should use dialogue and intellectual discourse instead of resorting to singing when the House is sitting.

However, Mao says the ruling party is not willing to listen to voices dissenting the bill including its own party members who were chased out of the caucus meeting last Friday.

He now promises to write to Nankabirwa so that he can address the caucus on the implications of removing presidential age limits of 35 to 75 years for any persons to contest for presidency.

Mao has also termed NRM MP’s plan to consult sub county leaders as exclusive and selective with lots of bribery and will only yield coached responses.

He thinks that it is morally wrong for any MP to accept the 29 million shillings that Parliament has planned for each MP to hold consultations over the bill in their constituencies.

“We have had many bills that are very important but Mps were not given money to consult because we cannot afford it as a nation,” said Mao

He commended the Leader of the Opposition Winnie Kiiza for spearheading open consultative rallies so far held in Kampala but also urges them to move to NRM strongholds.