Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao has said he should not be blamed for growing public debate suggesting he could be considered for the position of Speaker of Parliament, insisting the discussion has been driven by citizens, not by his own making.
“The idea of the Speakership race, I am not the one to blame for citizens to say Mao should be Speaker,” Mao said.
Mao, who is also the Member of Parliament-elect for Laroo-Pece Division in Gulu City, confirmed that he is engaged in consultations over the leadership of the next Parliament, including discussions with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
“I am carrying out consultation, we will also meet the leadership of NRM including President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and talk openly about the next Speaker of Parliament,” he said.
He further disclosed that he has already held consultations with President Yoweri Museveni, noting that his recent political decisions, including his bid for the Laroo-Pece parliamentary seat, were shaped by those high-level engagements. Mao said his actions are guided by the Democratic Party–NRM Cooperation Agreement, which he described as a framework for national dialogue and peaceful political transition.
Mao downplayed claims that he is actively strategising for the Speakership, saying the speculation should be understood as public demand for inclusive leadership rather than personal ambition. He said his immediate focus remains on fulfilling the mandate agreed upon with his party and the President.
He also pointed to what he described as a changing political landscape in the Acholi sub-region, where support for President Museveni—often referred to as “Mzee”, has grown in recent years. Mao attributed the shift to the population’s desire for stability and the expectation of tangible development outcomes from cooperation between the Democratic Party (DP) and the NRM.
“The DP-NRM cooperation agreement is a living document. It has managed to resolve the contradictions that we have been having. I salute the courage President Museveni exhibited. He is the captain of the ship called Uganda,” Mao said.
Signed in July 2022, the cooperation agreement forms the basis of Mao’s role in government. He has consistently argued that the pact is not a political “sell-out” but a strategic partnership aimed at promoting regional development, national unity and structured opposition participation in governance.
His remarks come amid increasing political speculation over leadership positions in the next Parliament, following the general elections. Mao did not explicitly declare his interest in the Speakership but indicated that consultations were part of a broader engagement process with key political stakeholders.
As Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Mao currently serves in the Cabinet under the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) administration, despite leading the Democratic Party (DP), a role that has often placed him at the center of national political debate.
The process of selecting the next Speaker is expected to involve intense negotiations within and across political parties, particularly the NRM, which holds the majority in Parliament.
