Mao stuns political circles with bold bid for speaker of 12th Parliament

• Norbert Mao has formally declared his bid for Speaker after concluding consultations with MPs-elect and the President.
• He says the next Parliament must intensify the fight against grand corruption and strengthen oversight of the Executive.
• The NRM has already vetted Speaker Anita Among and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, setting up a likely high-stakes contest.

DP president Norbert Mao has left political circles in surprise after finally declaring his bid to run for Speaker of Parliament in a press conference held today. The newly elected Member of Parliament for Laro-Pece said he has concluded weeks of consultations and is now ready to formally enter the race for the top legislative seat in Uganda’s 12th Parliament.

Mao, who also serves as Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, revealed that his consultation process involved engagements with fellow MPs-elect and even President Yoweri Museveni. He described the decision as carefully considered, coming at what he termed a “critical moment” for the country following the 2026 general elections.

In his remarks, Mao cautioned Ugandans against complacency, urging leaders and citizens alike not to take stability and governance for granted. He noted that while Uganda has made notable progress over the years, the fight against corruption — particularly high-level corruption — remains far from over.

According to Mao, Parliament must reclaim its role as a strong and independent institution capable of checking excesses within the Executive. He argued that abuse of power, especially through grand corruption, continues to undermine public trust and national development.

Mao returns to Parliament after two decades, having previously represented Gulu Municipality from 1996 to 2006. During that time, he built a reputation as a sharp debater and outspoken anti-corruption advocate. Mao started expressing his interest for the role a few weeks ago but this was brushed under the carpet by both himself and the current speaker who labeled him a non threat.

Since 2010, Mao has led the Democratic Party and has twice contested for the presidency. In 2022, he joined Cabinet under what he described as a cooperation arrangement aimed at fostering political dialogue and a peaceful transition process.

It should be noted that the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) CEC has already vetted and endorsed the current Speaker Anita Among and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa ahead of the Speaker race. Among has also reportedly secured endorsements from various MPs-elect and setting the stage for what could become a competitive contest in the 12th Parliament.

With Mao now officially in the race, attention shifts to how Parliament will shape up in what he has described as a defining five-year term for the country.