NRM 'rebel' MP Tinkasimire sends Mao condolescences following Museveni betrayal

Speaking to a local media in an interview yesterday Thursday 20 October, Tinkasimire invited Ugandans to remain on the sidelines of the Mao-Museveni row over a national political transition. That Mao should stop trying to save face while he eats at the table of Museveni's making.

"Mao should swallow his pride and accept that he officially joined Museveni to work for him. He is his cabinet minister and he should accept to work for him and promote him," he said.

According to him, Mao allowed himself to believe that he could be the exception to President Museveni's list of unfulfilled power hand over promises.

'Mao fooled himself'

"Mao joined NRM, when he was seeing it by himself. Museveni agreed with Amama Mbabazi that he was going to be the next president, is he the president now? He agreed with those people he fought with that he was going to rule for two terms. How many terms has he ruled?" He added.

When asked about what opposition is doing to put pressure on the President, Tinkasmire said that they are an unserious lot.

"They are interested in becoming rich out of him. Even us in the NRM, we should be able to put President Museveni under pressure to deliver to NRM members. The opposition should also swallow their pride. They are in the business of making money, they are not serious," he stated.

'Opposition should find purpose'

Moreover, that opposition are only interested in personal gains instead of uniting behind Museveni until such a day as the country will reorganise after Museveni's rule.

"NRM members are pressing President Museveni to deliver to their constituencies. For them, they go to Museveni to make deals. Do you think Norbert Mao is interested in what is going on in the lives of an ordinary Ugandan? He is not interested. The other day I saw him dancing while in Fort Portal. I am very disappointed with them. I want to ask Ugandans to stop taking them seriously. How long can we go on like that? Let’s push the agenda of Museveni. If he dies, we shall short out ourselves," Tinkasimire argued.

'Museveni is better than Muhoozi'

In light of the recent youth endorsement of President Museveni for Presidency in the 2026 general elections, Tinkasimire applauded the move. In his opinion "the young people who endorsed President Museveni sent a clear signal to Muhoozi that he is not wanted". That Uganda is not ready for a Muhoozi government.