LCCTV NESW 04-WED-2026
KAMPALA — In a notable public endorsement, Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has praised Democratic Party President Norbert Mao as “the most brilliant opposition leader in Uganda today,” attributing to him “Presidential skills.”
The comment was made via Kainerugaba’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, sparking immediate political discourse across the nation. The statement is significant given Kainerugaba’s status as the First Son and a high-ranking figure within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) establishment.
The brief but loaded praise has generated widespread speculation about its intent and potential implications for Uganda’s political landscape. Norbert Mao, a seasoned politician and longtime leader of the historic Democratic Party (DP), has been a persistent critic of the government but has also engaged in intermittent dialogue with the NRM.
Political analysts are weighing several possible interpretations of the statement. Some view it as a genuine, personal acknowledgment of Mao’s intellectual acumen and political stature from a figure who has himself been openly political in recent years. Others suggest it could be a strategic comment aimed at highlighting divisions within the opposition, which is currently fragmented among several key players.
“Praising a specific opposition leader by name, and so effusively, from such a senior figure in the NRM is highly unusual,” said political commentator Dr. Sarah Birete. “It simultaneously elevates Mao while potentially creating questions about his relationship with other opposition factions. The phrase ‘Presidential skills’ is particularly charged in the Ugandan context.”
Mao’s DP is part of the loose opposition coalition, the Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC), but has at times pursued a distinct path. In 2022, Mao signed a cooperation agreement with the ruling NRM, a move that was controversial within opposition ranks but which he defended as “principled engagement.”
As of press time, Norbert Mao had not issued a formal public response to the tweet. Reactions from other opposition figures have been mixed, with some dismissing it as political gamesmanship and others calling for unity.
A spokesperson for the National Unity Platform (NUP), the country’s largest opposition party led by Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu, declined to comment directly on the tweet but reiterated their focus on “a united front for democratic change.”
Officials from the NRM Secretariat have also not issued an official statement, suggesting the tweet reflects Gen. Kainerugaba’s personal views.
Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, a four-star general and former Commander of the Land Forces, is a prominent and often outspoken figure. His frequent social media commentary on political and regional issues has made him a central subject of national political discussion.
Norbert Mao, a lawyer and politician, has led the Democratic Party since 2010. Known for his eloquent oratory and ideological stance, he has been a presidential candidate multiple times and is regarded as one of the country’s most experienced opposition leaders.
The full impact of this public compliment remains to be seen, but it has undoubtedly injected a new point of conversation into Uganda’s dynamic political arena.
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