With the cooperation agreement between DP and the National Resistance Movement set to expire on May 11, sharp political lines are emerging over his reported interest in contesting for Speaker of Parliament.
Separate Interviews by Democratic Party (DP) Vice President Mukasa Mbidde and Former Executive Director of the Uganda Media Centre (UMC), Ofwono Opondo suggest that Mao’s path to the Speakership faces both internal resistance and external political realities.
In an interview on NBS Television last week , Mbidde openly distanced himself from Mao’s reported ambitions, revealing that he was “shocked” by the development.
“As the deputy president of the party, I got shocked when I heard of the intent and purposes by my brother running for Speakership without having the same motivated and generally acceded to by our party,” Mbidde said.
He argued that DP had not formally deliberated on such a move and questioned the legal and political foundation for mounting a serious bid.
“The cooperation agreement itself expires before the election of the Speaker. In my opinion, we don’t have the locus to definitely vie for positions where the NRM has got an upper hand,” he stated.
Mbidde further acknowledged DP’s limited numerical strength in Parliament, saying the party lacks the membership required to independently deliver victory to its candidate.
“We don’t have the membership in the House that can occasion the ability for any of our candidates to win,” he said, adding that historically, DP positions have only succeeded with the blessing of the NRM chairperson.
In a significant endorsement, Mbidde threw his weight behind incumbent Speaker Anita Among, praising her stewardship of Parliament.
She has served well. She has managed Parliament and we have not had factions… Parliament has sailed with absolute intent,” he said.
Mbidde indicated he supports Among’s continuation, arguing that stability in the House should be prioritized over what he described as unrealistic political ventures.
Ofwono Opondo: NRM Numbers Will Decide
On his part, Ofwono Opondo, Member of Parliament-elect representing Older Persons for the Eastern Region, said the Speakership remains firmly within the ruling party’s control.
“NRM has 369 Members of Parliament. That’s more than two-thirds. Let nobody kid you — the Speaker of the 12th Parliament is going to be NRM,” Opondo said during an interview on UBC.
He maintained that the ruling party will front a “disciplined, loyal and competent” candidate and dismissed suggestions that the cooperation agreement between Norbert Mao and the NRM could alter that outcome.
“Yes, he has some cooperation agreement with President Museveni, but I don’t think that’s sufficient,” Opondo said.
He emphasized that the NRM alone will determine how to “balance the vote”
within its ranks and insisted that internal party processes would guide the eventual selection of a candidate.
Opondo also signaled continuity, saying he sees no reason why incumbent Speaker Anita Among and her deputy Thomas Tayebwa should not return if they express interest.
“I see no reason why the current leadership should not return,” he said, crediting them with steering the House without major disruption.
