Mao's Ambiguous Diffusion and Obfuscation Politics

Mao is a short little man. But that little body is packed with raging ambition and extraordinary talent not unlike another little Corsican Napoleon of yesteryears.

I was first drawn to Mao as I read his writings in the Uganda dailies and heard of his admired rhetorical skills. Subsequently we got to communicate and eventually met on two occasions—one in the US when I was still fascinated by the guy, and the other in Juba when his stars had faded.

When we met in the US there was a debate going on Acholinet as to whether the LRA was a spent force or not. I argued that, since the LRA did not occupy any territory in Uganda and were always on the run, they were practically defeated and should not continue with the sad war of attrition which has brought a lot of suffering to innocent Acoli people and the neighbors. I got a lot of flacks from all sides for this position. To some Acoli politicians and some wanabes—and Mao was one of them—the LRA was a symbol of Acoli chauvinism and prowess—albeit a distorted sense of the collective self since Acoli was already sent into a confused disarray by the Banyankole-backed forces of Museveni.

As time went on more of Mao came to light. He was an official of the Divinity Corporation of one Salim Saleh, the brother of President Museveni. When the machinations of the Salim Saleh came to light about plans on Acoli land, Mao conveniently resigned from Divinity.

There was a time when Museveni talked of turning the sad “concentration” camps (a.k.a Internally Displaced Persons’ camps) into towns. Mao was one of his proponents. Only outcries from many that this was another disguised plan on Acoli land put this scheme to die in the womb.

In 2002 Museveni, when campaigning, conveniently made anemic apology for the sufferings of the Acoli. Mao sounded out Museveni’s calculated sentiment even while the NRM government refused to declare the North a disaster area which could have allowed the marshalling of local and international funds earlier to save many lost lives.

Mao’s commendation of Museveni (see article below) is the latest triangulation exercise that is the hallmark of his weaving signals that he should be put to task on. If he is an NRM, let him be man enough and declare his allegiance to Museveni instead of trying to eat from two bowls at the same time.

What does he mean when he says area politicians should reconcile with Museveni—and on whose terms? If you are not strong enough, you don’t reconcile with Museveni on amicable terms—but rather on his terms. As far as I know, no Acoli politician worth his or her Acoli blood will be obsequious and go kneeling before Museveni to “reconcile.” Period. Mao should forget about it and carry on with his game wherever it takes him.
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Mao commends Museveni
Publication date: Tuesday, 15th July, 2008
By Chris Ocowun PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni should be commended for showing commitment to rebuild the war-ravaged northern Uganda, Gulu district chairman Norbert Mao has said. “This is a challenge to us leaders. It does not mean that when the President is doing something good, I must lay roadblocks,” noted Mao, who is also the opposition DP vice-president for the north and a presidential hopeful. “That is not the kind of politics we should practice. Let’s move away from the politics of aimlessness to politics of goal and purpose.” Mao was speaking over the weekend at Acholi Inn in Gulu town during a party to welcome the new 4th Division chief, Brig. Otema Awany and his deputy Col. Peter Elwelu. Otema replaced Brig. Lucky Kidega, while Elwelu succeeds Col. Sam Kavuma. Mao advised Acholi leaders to first unite and reconcile with Museveni to convince rebel LRA leader Joseph Kony that people are ready to reconcile with him. “You cannot tell Kony to reconcile with Museveni when you cannot reconcile among yourselves. I have reconciled with ambassador Akech, Brig. Otema and even Museveni. “These are the things for which Nelson Mandela of South Africa is being praised,” Mao asserted. The disaster preparedness state minister, Musa Ecweru, said members of the Cabinet respect Mao for his objectivity “unlike some opposition MPs” He advised other northern leaders to emulate the Gulu LC5 chief and work with the Government to develop the region. The chief of staff of the land forces, Brig. Charles Angina, urged the displaced people to leave the camps, saying Kony would never step on Acholi land again.

This article can be found on-line at: http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/16/639239