MP Malende Rejects Mao’s Proposal, Defends Popular Presidential Elections

Honorable Shamim Malende, the National Unity Platform (NUP) Woman Member of Parliament for Kampala and a respected lawyer, expressed her strong opposition to the recent proposal made by Minister Norbert Mao.
Mao suggested that Uganda’s president should be elected by parliament rather than through a nationwide popular vote.
Speaking during an appearance on a national television program, Malende stated, “On behalf of the people of Kampala, whom I represent, and on my own behalf, we do not support the proposal for Parliament to vote for the president. As a lawyer, I believe this takes away the voice of the people, and that is not something I can accept as a leader.”
Malende emphasized that such a move would strip Ugandans of their right to directly choose their leader. She highlighted that, as an elected representative, her duty is to protect the voices of her constituents and ensure they are heard in the political process.
As a prominent figure in NUP, the main opposition party, Malende’s position aligns with the party’s broader stance on the matter.
NUP and the entire opposition view the proposal as a deliberate attempt to undermine their influence in Ugandan politics, given that the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) holds the majority in parliament.
If the president were chosen by MPs, the opposition argues, it would favor the NRM and further marginalize them.
Malende’s statement reflects growing concerns among opposition members and civil society groups, who see the proposal as a threat to democracy and political balance in the country.
The debate over how Uganda’s president should be elected continues to spark conversations, with many urging the protection of the people’s right to choose their leaders through a popular vote.