While addressing the media, Norbert Mao said that after the death of Jacob Oulanyah, who was Speaker of Parliament then, Anita Among, who was his deputy, contested and won the position. Mao on Tuesday said, “After the death of Oulanyah, Uganda got an accidental Speaker.” He added that “the prospect of Norbert Mao becoming Speaker has energised the whole country who think they will get a safety net in these five years that are critical, with a hand that can be trusted, with a record of working with all sorts of people.”
At a deeply personal level, Mao said he often reflects on what his late friend would say if they met beyond this life. “At the very personal level I wonder what my good friend Jacob Oulanyah would tell me if I met him on the other side of life for doing nothing about what is happening. He would say I should have been the one who died,” Mao said.
The Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister and president general of the Democratic Party formally declared his bid for Speaker of the 12th Parliament, positioning himself as a corrective figure in what he described as a troubled chapter of parliamentary leadership.
Mao said his decision followed months of nationwide consultations with political actors, religious leaders, civil society groups, and ordinary citizens, many of whom, he noted, encouraged him to contest in order to restore credibility and balance to Parliament.
He argued that Uganda is entering a critical five-year period marked by economic strain, governance challenges, and growing public distrust in institutions, making the role of Speaker more important than ever.
According to Mao, Parliament must act as a stabilising force by enforcing rules, protecting minority voices, and ensuring meaningful oversight of the Executive. He said his long career — ranging from opposition leadership to service in government — uniquely positions him to manage a diverse and often polarised House.
The DP leader defended his history of working across political lines, insisting that collaboration should not be mistaken for weakness. He said his record shows consistency, restraint, and an ability to work with “all sorts of people” without abandoning principle.
Mao’s declaration is expected to intensify the Speakership race ahead of the opening of the 12th Parliament, with political camps already mobilising behind competing candidates. His remarks, particularly the description of Uganda’s current parliamentary leadership as “accidental,” are likely to provoke sharp debate as the contest unfolds.
