The Democratic Party’s (DP) Norbert Mao has been warned: becoming Speaker of the 12th Parliament would be “suicidal” for the National Resistance Movement (NRM), according to Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa.
Speaking at a burial ceremony, Tayebwa emphasized that NRM would not relinquish the Speaker position to a non-NRM member, citing party loyalty and survival.
Tayebwa’s remarks underscore the intense political rivalry between Uganda’s ruling NRM and opposition parties.
Mao’s potential candidacy has sparked debate, with Tayebwa asserting that NRM would not compromise on key positions.
“I am 100 per cent sure that NRM government and NRM party will [retain] the Speaker and Deputy Speaker Parliament positions in the 12th Parliament,” said Tayebwa while in Rukiga District at the burial of Noreda Bangirana, mother of State Minister for Health (General Duties) Anifa Kawooya.
“I am very sure if Mao was the President of NRM, he would not give the position of Speaker and Deputy Speaker to a non-member of his party. That would be suicidal for your party. That’s non-negotiable.”
The NRM’s grip on power and internal dynamics are expected to influence the parliamentary leadership contest.
The incident highlights Uganda’s charged political landscape, where party allegiance often dictates key appointments. With the 12th Parliament looming, the battle for the Speaker’s seat is shaping up to be a defining test of NRM’s dominance.
The Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG) has thrown its weight behind Anita Among’s bid for another term as Speaker, according to several messages of endorsement shared online. Norbert Mao comes from Acholi.
Kilak North legislator Anthony Akol, chairman of APG, praised Among’s leadership, citing her experience and the improved cohesion of the House under her tenure. Akol appealed to Ugandans and MPs to support Among, saying she has brought stability to Parliament.
Among has indicated she is not afraid of Mao’s candidature.
As for the Deputy Speaker position, Marshall Alenyo, a seasoned city lawyer and newly elected legislator, has thrown his hat into the ring, sparking a quiet revolt against NRM’s Central Executive Committee’s (CEC) decision to endorse Thomas Tayebwa for the position.
This move is seen as a subtle contest over where ultimate authority in legislative leadership should reside – within the party’s CEC or within the plenary wisdom of elected MPs.
The first to declare to unseat Thomas Tayebwa as deputy speaker was tycoon Hassan Basajjabalaba’s son, as reported Here.
Meanwhile, Anita Among previously indicated she would have five more years as speaker and hand over to Thomas Tayebwa. (See Details Here and There).
Amidst all this, Norbert Mao’s DP and Museveni’s NRM signed a cooperation agreement on the basis of which Mao even claimed he knew when Museveni would peacefully hand over power, only for Museveni to tell him off, as reported Here and There.
