Norbert Mao Shares Interesting Details on His Political Battle with Noble Mayombo – And the Good Old Days at Makerere

Democratic Party (DP) president general and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Norbert Mao has shared interesting details on his political battle with Noble Mayombo – and the good old days at Makerere University.

A respected military officer, Brigadier Noble Mayombo died in May 2007 at the age of 42. Born in Kabarole District. Mayombo paused his law course at Makerere University in 1985 to join Yoweri Museveni’s rebel group, the National Resistance Army (NRA) in the bush war, which had waged war against the Obote II regime following the contested 1980 elections.

When Museveni’s NRA rose to power in 1986, Mayombo finished his law degree. He would later serve as aide-de-camp (ADC) to President Yoweri Museveni, and Chief of Military Intelligence (CMI) from 2001 to 2005.

The youngest member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted Uganda’s Constitution, Mayombo would also serve as an MP representing the UPDF.

Norbert Mao recalls Mayombo’s wit and their friendship, even in corridors of national power.

“The parity of esteem that defined our relationship blossomed into a personal friendship and comradeship which enabled us to close ranks in the fight against corruption as MPs,” he shared.

“Talk about a sense of wit, here is one who had one with a double sting. When he was being queried about alleged torture in military detention centers using snakes and scorpions, Noble replied: ‘I don’t have a budget for snakes and scorpions!’”

THE MAKERERE UNIVERSITY GUILD RACE

In a detailed recollection, Mao described Mayombo as both a fierce competitor and an intellectual force, blending humor, ideology, and camaraderie.

“Noble used to joke that he personified the NRM because those letters were also his initials – Noble Rwaboni Mayombo. We lived in the same Hall – Mitchell and sat in the same class for three years,” Mao recalled.

“He was one of the five soldiers of the NRA who had returned from the bush to resume studies. Their five were inseparable. Their pentagon had Mayombo, Mugira, Turyatunga, Karemire and Bainomugisha. The opposite pentagon had Oulanyah, Kajubi-Ssepuuya, Othembi, Olok-Asobasi and I.”

Mao further painted a vivid picture of Mayombo’s personality and intellectual leanings, recalling: “When I first visited Mayombo’s room I found he had an oversized 6 inch mattress on a tiny bed. Apart from the usual legal tomes, his bookshelf was full of Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, Kim Il Sung, and other communist thinkers.

I recall that Cuban revolutionary icons Fidel Castro and Che Guevara were his true role models. He could recite entire passages from Castro’s courtroom apologia – History Shall Absolve Me.”

The rivalry between the two came to a head during the Makerere Guild presidential race in the 1990s. Mao revealed that Mayombo had difficulty accepting the outcome of the election, offering his own interpretation of the loss.

“After the Guild race he refused to accept that his was a real loss. He claimed that it was due to a gap in the consciousness of the students who were confused about who can best serve their interests,” he narrated.

“He saw himself as a Daniel Ortega whose Sandinista Party overthrew the Samoza regime in Nicaragua but lost elections in 1990.”

Mao, however, countered that perspective, emphasizing that students had made a deliberate and informed choice.

“I think Noble wanted to blunt the sting of the electoral loss. I told him that the students were actually aware of their interests that is why they voted for a candidate who was resisting the IMF/World Bank inspired structural adjustment policies that the NRM government had embraced lock, stock and barrel. This policy package forced developing countries like Uganda to carry out radical privatization programs and cut social spending. It was indeed a medicine whose side effects were worse than the disease it intended to cure!” he recalled.

Despite their ideological differences, Mao stressed that their relationship remained respectful and collegial, extending beyond the heat of student politics.

“Our disagreements never degenerated into personal conflicts. No wonder a few months after the elections, during the Annual Africa Week, we held a Mock OAU Summit (now AU), and Noble agreed to play the role of Libyan President Gadaffi! He gave a sterling performance. Another Guild contestant, Amon Muzoora played the role of the host President Museveni with Grace Rubaale as First Lady Janet Museveni,” he further shared.

“Such fora gave the students the opportunity to delve into policy debates and gain insight into the problems afflicting society.”

Mao’s recollection offers a rare glimpse into the formative years of two prominent Ugandan figures, highlighting not just political rivalry but also the intellectual vibrancy and mutual respect that defined their shared journey.

Elected Laroo-Pece MP in January 2026, Norbert Mao seeks to become the speaker of the 12th parliament — although his election as MP faces a legal challenge.

Norbert Mao and Speaker Anita Among were recently engaged in a fierce war of words over the ‘NRM bedroom’ with Mao asking Among who she is and the incumbent speaker telling the justice minister not to cross the NRM compound. (See Details Here, There and Over There).

Mao insists Anita Among is an accidental speaker, a label that the incumbent speaker has reacted about,