IT’S OVER! Museveni ‘Rejects’ Norbert Mao

In what appears like a clear indication that President Yoweri Museveni and his ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) may stick to incumbents in the leadership of parliament, the party chairman seems to have rejected the bid by his justice and constitutional affairs minister Norbert Mao, as well as other NRM-leaning politicians interested in the roles of speaker and deputy speaker.

And given that the NRM has the majority in the 12^th Parliament – and given previous voting patterns, it looks like it is over. If Norbert Mao hoped to use his closeness to Museveni (being a cabinet minister) or to try to play the regional card, it looks like it is over.

Museveni has also become clear on NRM’s position on the speaker race, making it known that the party will support its own, not allies from other parties like Mao.

So, let us bring you up to speed with the latest developments on the speakership race and NRM’s approach so far.

On February 20, 2026, members of the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC), sitting at Entebbe, resolved that the current speaker Anita Annet Among and her deputy Thomas Tayebwa retain their seats, with the support of the ruling party MPs.

Now, it has been confirmed that party chairman Yoweri Museveni and secretary general Richard Todwong have sent the names of the incumbents to the NRM parliamentary caucus.

“WE, MEMBERS of the 5th Central Executive Committee; SITTING in our 8th Meeting today, Friday 20th February 2026, in Entebbe; HAVING deliberated cordially and at length, and having unanimously agreed, hereby resolve as follows:  To reiterate resolution No 12 of the 7th meeting of the 5th CEC meeting, to the effect that in line with precedence, the names of the incumbent Speaker (Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among) and Deputy Speaker (Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa), shall be forwarded to the NRM Parliamentary Caucus, for their adoption as Candidates of the Party, on the floor of Parliament,” reads the CEC resolution signed by Museveni and Todwong.

“Any issues that arise shall be addressed on merit.”

As previous voting patterns have indicated, most NRM MPs are likely to toe the party line once their caucus adopts the CEC resolution.

Looking rejected, Norbert Mao may turn to look for support among independents, some NRM MPs and the opposition that already mistrusts him since he agreed to work with Museveni in 2022.

It should be remembered that Mao’s agreement with Museveni was not going as had been hoped – even when Norbert Mao has been a minister. For example, the president told off Mao on his statements on a peaceful transition as reported Here and There.

Even the opposition told off Mao, warning him that he could be used and dumped or even pushed like a wheelbarrow. (See Details Here and There).

It is also not clear if  Norbert Mao will make it to Museveni’s cabinet after missing out on the speakership, or if the cooperation agreement will collapse, altogether. (Read the agreement between Mao and Museveni Here, and see how Museveni’s current cabinet list looks like There.