Political analyst David Soita Masinde has weighed in on Norbert Mao’s loss in the 2026 Ugandan parliamentary speakership race, arguing that the outcome highlights entrenched regional considerations that continue to shape the country’s political leadership.
Mao, the Democratic Party leader, garnered 15 votes in the election, finishing a distant third behind Jacob Oboth-Oboth, who secured a commanding 441 votes. Paul Mwiru came in second with 60 votes.
The results underscored the dominance of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), which backed Oboth-Oboth and leveraged its numerical strength in Parliament.
In his analysis, Masinde pointed to what he described as a growing pattern in Uganda’s political architecture, where key parliamentary leadership positions are increasingly concentrated in specific regions.
He noted that both the current Speaker Anita Among and the newly elected Speaker Oboth-Oboth hail from Eastern Uganda, raising questions about regional balance in top legislative roles.
Masinde argued that beyond party strength, regional identity plays a critical role in determining political success at the highest levels.
According to him, Mao’s loss cannot be viewed purely through the lens of numbers, but also through what he termed as “unwritten political rules” that influence leadership selection.
“You cannot win a game when the board is tilted against your origin,” Masinde stated, suggesting that political viability in Uganda may depend as much on geography as it does on experience or competence.
He went further to offer a controversial perspective on how Mao could reposition himself for future bids.
Masinde suggested that if Mao is serious about becoming Speaker, he may need to align himself with the prevailing regional dynamics.
In a striking remark, the analyst said Mao should consider relocating to Eastern Uganda, specifically Bukedea, where he could establish deeper local ties and integrate into the community.
He described this approach as a pragmatic, albeit cynical, strategy to align with the expectations of the political system.
Masinde maintained that if the system prioritizes regional representation over merit, then aspirants must adapt accordingly.
“Give the system exactly what it wants,” he said, emphasizing that Mao’s legal expertise and political experience would carry more weight if paired with a regional identity that aligns with current power structures.