A high-stakes battle for the Speakership of Uganda’s 12th Parliament has burst into the open, with Norbert Mao and Anita Annet Among trading sharp words in a clash that has exposed deep political fault lines within the ruling establishment.
The confrontation unfolded at the National Leadership Institute, Kyankwanzi, where tensions flared after Among issued a thinly veiled warning to contenders outside the ruling party against eyeing the Speakership.
“We do cooperate with different political parties, but the cooperation does not mean that if we are cooperating, you come up to my bedroom… The bedroom this time around is the speakership,” Among said—remarks widely interpreted as a direct swipe at Mao.
The metaphor ignited an immediate and forceful response from Mao, the Justice Minister and president of the Democratic Party, who accused the Speaker of lowering the dignity of her office with what he described as “undignified” language.
Mao pushed back against suggestions that his bid amounts to political overreach, insisting his presence within government is grounded in a formal cooperation agreement with the National Resistance Movement.
He emphasized that he is not an outsider, but a legitimate partner invited by party chairman Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
“I meet all the constitutional qualifications for Speaker of Parliament,” Mao asserted, rejecting claims of “trespassing” and calling for a fair and open contest.
He stressed that the ultimate decision lies with Members of Parliament, where the NRM commands a decisive majority.
Despite the escalating rhetoric, Mao struck a conciliatory tone, urging political actors to maintain civility and avoid personal attacks. “This is a time-bound process. After it, we must work together to build our country,” he said.
The verbal duel has injected fresh intensity into the already competitive race, transforming it from a routine internal process into a broader political showdown.
Mao’s candidacy, bolstered by his reputation as a seasoned debater and his growing ties within ruling circles, has disrupted the status quo and forced a recalibration of alliances.
Meanwhile, Among continues to enjoy strong backing from sections of the NRM’s Central Executive Committee, which has endorsed her alongside Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, positioning continuity as essential for parliamentary stability.
Adding a new twist, President Museveni has hinted at reopening the contest, a move that could widen the field and give Mao’s challenge renewed momentum.
As more than 400 NRM legislators converge in Kyankwanzi, the Speakership race is rapidly evolving into a defining test of loyalty, influence, and political hierarchy within Uganda’s power structure, setting the stage for a bruising contest with far-reaching implications for the 12th Parliament.
