By Hon. Dr. Fred Mukasa Mbidde | Vice President, Democratic Party
In its literal sense, empleomania refers to an uncontrollable craving for public office. In my view, this is the only fitting description of my brother Norbert Mao’s current bid for the Speakership of Parliament.
This fixation appears to have taken root on July 22, 2022 — the day he received his first ministerial appointment. Since then, the pursuit of higher office has become increasingly evident.
As someone who has twice been elected by Parliament to represent Uganda in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), I speak from experience about how elections within Parliament unfold. Unlike Mao, who despite previously serving as a Member of Parliament has never been elected by Parliament itself to any position, I have firsthand knowledge of the dynamics involved. For that reason, I am confident that Mao will not be elected Speaker of the 12th Parliament. The Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among will.
When I first made my position public, Mao rushed to question my election to EALA, pointing to the fact that the Democratic Party (Uganda) has fewer than 15 MPs. What he failed to acknowledge is that in each of my bids I had the blessing of the President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. That support was not merely symbolic. On one occasion, it culminated in my invitation to the Tarehe Sita celebrations in Masindi, where the President publicly described me as “a good DP.”
Such moments demonstrate political goodwill and recognition that my brother has not come close to securing.
Mao seeks to lead a Parliament of more than 500 leaders representing diverse opinions. Yet the party he has led for three terms has often been fractured into factions whenever dissenting voices emerge. Those who disagree with him are frequently dismissed or told, quite bluntly, to go to hell.
If that approach has produced divisions within a relatively small party, what divisions might arise should he preside over the entire Parliament?
Following my declaration of support for Speaker Anita Among, Mao’s supporters unleashed a wave of social media attacks against me, suggesting that my position is motivated by “meal-card politics.” I must set the record straight: I have lived a comfortable and independent life long before I ever met Mao in 1999.
The Cooperation Agreement
A careful reading of the cooperation agreement between the Democratic Party and the ruling National Resistance Movement makes its intentions clear. It was designed to function as a political contract tied to the lifespan of the 2021 NRM manifesto.
The agreement explicitly outlined positions available to the Democratic Party, including:
- Appointment of Norbert Mao as Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs
- Appointment of another DP leader to a junior cabinet position when available
- DP MPs chairing parliamentary standing committees
- DP leaders heading four statutory bodies
- Retention of the EALA seat for the party
Notably, the Speakership of Parliament is not among these positions. Furthermore, the agreement relates to the current term tied to the 2021 manifesto and cannot logically extend to the election of a Speaker for a different parliamentary term.
The Democratic Party is not a sole proprietorship designed to serve one man’s ambition for government office. It is a political institution composed of men and women dedicated to serving Uganda.
One quality that once endeared Mao to many of us was his eloquence. When he was a Member of Parliament, I was still a student pursuing my degree in Mass Communication. Our paths later crossed more closely during my time as Guild President at Makerere University.
However, the rules of Parliament restrict the Speaker from active debate. In essence, the office requires neutrality and restraint. Eloquence, therefore, is not the defining qualification.
If Mao truly acted in the broader interests of the Democratic Party, he would recognize that Speaker Anita Among should be an ally rather than an adversary in the pursuit of reviewing, renewing, and fully implementing the DP–NRM cooperation agreement.
Instead, this Speakership bid appears to be a personal quest — another step in what seems like an attempt to move from one position of authority to another.
Mao should instead be concerned about the future of his own ministerial appointment. That appointment, granted under the cooperation agreement, expires with the current term. Any continuation without a formal review of the agreement would lack a clear political basis. His focus should therefore be on renegotiating and strengthening the agreement rather than pursuing what I consider unrealistic ambitions.
Why Anita Among
Speaker Anita Annet Among has demonstrated key leadership qualities: reliability with allies, meticulous management of parliamentary business, empathy, strong mobilisation skills, and a leadership style that empowers her team.
The 11th Parliament presented unique challenges. Much of the central region had elected a new generation of outspoken and uncompromising young legislators. Yet she managed to periodically forge consensus that allowed government business to proceed without the need for state intervention.
By contrast, Mao often chose confrontation, engaging in public exchanges of insults with these same young leaders from a distance. Attempting to place him in charge of managing them today would be an anachronism.
For these reasons, I will support Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among. On the day of voting, I will take my place in the public gallery proudly serving as its unofficial chairperson because I believe supporting her leadership is the right thing to do for our country.
