DOGS AND THEIR OWNERS: Norbert Mao Speaks in Parables as Rival Challenges His Election Victory; Speakership Bid at Stake

Justice and constitutional affairs minister Norbert Mao has fumed over an election petition that could end his speakership bid.  With his speakership bid at stake, Norbert Mao spoke in parables as rival sought to challenge his election victory.

Norbert Mao is the MP-elect for Laroo-Pece constituency. But his victory has been challenged in court.

It was this parliamentary seat that Norbert Mao hoped to ride on for his election bid to become the speaker of the 12^th parliament. Without the seat, Mao does not qualify to run, and that would be good news for incumbent speaker Anita Among.

Tonny Kitara, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate in the 2026 parliamentary election for Laroo-Pece has filed an election petition challenging Mao’s victory.

In the election petition before the Gulu High Court, Norbert Mao has been sued alongside the Electoral Commission.

Mao has been given 10 days within which to file his defence. “Take notice that Kitara Tonny has filed a petition against you in court,” wrote the assistant registrar for Gulu High Court in a notice received by Mao on April 01, 2026.

“You are hereby required to file an answer on or before the date above-mentioned, the petitioner may proceed with the petition, which may be determined in your absence.”

In response, Norbert Mao, who is also the Democratic Party (DP) party president-general, spoke in parables, writing: “I don’t fight dogs. I fight their owners. Full stop.”

Norbert Mao insists that Anita Among is an accidental speaker, a label that Anita Among has rejected, as reported Here and There.

A former top NRM boss has advised President Museveni to appoint Norbert Mao as vice president for Northern Uganda’s sake. There is also a group of MPs urging Museveni to appoint his son and military chief Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba as the vice president. (See Details Here and There.

You can see the list of MPs and ministers having sleepless nights and fearing to lose their seats because of election petitions Here.