KYANKWANZI, UGANDA: The Pearl Times keeps tabs on the race for the speaker of the 12th parliament. The latest is that Norbert Mao has fired back at Anita Among for telling him to stay away from the NRM bedroom and to remain in the compound. Norbert Mao suggested that Anita Among was a bad mannered adopted child.
The exchange of words between the incumbent Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, and the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, comes weeks before the newly elected MPs can elect the 12th parliament’s speaker.
The disagreement stems from recent remarks about political cooperation and participation in ruling party activities.
Norbert Mao, who was recently elected Member of Parliament for Laroo-Pece, has expressed interest in the position of Speaker of Parliament. This places him in competition with Anita Among, who assumed the role in 2022 following the death of former Speaker Jacob Oulanyah.
The issue came into focus after Mao attended a retreat of National Resistance Movement (NRM) Members of Parliament and independents at Kyankwanzi. Mao’s presence at the retreat is linked to the cooperation agreement between his Democratic Party and the NRM, and his supposed popularity among some members of the NRM who reportedly do not favour Among, the Bukedea District Woman MP, for the speakership.
While addressing the matter of cooperation between political parties, Anita Among used a metaphor to describe what she considers appropriate boundaries.
“We do cooperate with other political parties,” she said, “but the cooperation doesn’t mean that you come up to my bedroom; you remain in the compound.”
Her remarks appeared to draw a distinction between cooperation and deeper political integration, particularly in the context of opposition figures participating in NRM activities or even getting support from the ruling party for elective positions.
Norbert Mao responded directly to the statement, criticizing both the tone and the substance of the remarks.
“This is not just bad politics. It is bad manners!” Mao said. “Only the head of the family has the final word on who can access which room in the home. He doesn’t need lectures from a recently adopted child! Above all, when you insult your father’s visitors you’ve insulted your father.”
Mao’s response maintained the same metaphorical framing, presenting the political environment as a household with defined authority and roles.
Anita Among previously belonged to the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). She would cross to the NRM, win a parliamentary election and was later voted deputy speaker. She has since risen to the position of second national vice chairperson of the NRM after beating former speaker Rebecca Kadaga so badly.
At the same time, Mao’s bid for the speakership is facing a legal challenge arising from his election as Member of Parliament for Laroo-Pece Division. His victory has been contested in the High Court in Gulu by former NRM candidate Tonny Kitara, who filed a petition seeking to nullify the results. Kitara alleges that the election was marred by irregularities, including voter bribery, misuse of state resources, illegal campaign activities, and non-compliance with electoral laws, which he argues substantially affected the outcome. He is asking the court to declare the election invalid and order a fresh vote, a move that could directly impact Mao’s eligibility in the race for Speaker if the petition succeeds. (See Details Here).
The exchange comes at a time when political alignments and cooperation agreements are expected to continue to shape interactions between parties in Uganda. Mao’s Democratic Party maintains a formal working relationship with the NRM, which has enabled joint engagements such as the Kyankwanzi retreat, Mao’s appointment and the election of DP secretary general Gerald Siranda as an MP in regional parliament EALA. Interestingly, Gerald Siranda has since abandoned Norbert Mao and expressed his support for Anita Among, as reported Here.
Anita Among, as Speaker, remains a central figure within Parliament and continues to assert her position amid emerging competition.
The developments highlight the ongoing dynamics surrounding leadership within Parliament, particularly as individuals position themselves in relation to the speakership.
Meanwhile, Norbert Mao has previously described Anita Among as an accidental speaker, a label that the incumbent has responded to. Norbert Mao also fired back asking if there was a plan to end Jacob Oulanyah’s life. (See Details Here and There).
There have been calls for Museveni to appoint Norbert Mao vice president so that he can withdraw out of the speaker race in favour of Anita Among, as detailed Here and There.
