A fresh wave of political commentary has emerged over Uganda’s heated Speakership race, with activist Agather Atuhaire rejecting both contenders—Speaker Anita Among and Justice Minister Norbert Mao—in remarks that have intensified debate on leadership ethics and accountability.
Atuhaire dismissed the framing of the Speakership contest as a choice between two dominant political figures, arguing that both represent leadership failures she cannot support.
Her comments come as Among seeks another term at the helm of Parliament while Mao has indicated interest in the position, setting up a politically charged contest.
She took a hard line against Among, accusing her of deep-rooted corruption, and warned against the consequences of her returning to the Speakership.
“I am always on the side of the truth. Among is incurably corrupt and if she becomes Speaker again I doubt we will even still have a country by the end of another term but I also wanted to remind Mao that he’s a hypocrite. And it doesn’t have to be either Among or Mao. Why must we always settle with the lesser evil?”
Her remarks also turned to Mao, questioning his political consistency and describing him as hypocritical for seeking high office within a system he has often criticised from within opposition politics and now government ranks.
Atuhaire further challenged what she described as a tendency among Ugandans to treat political contests as binary choices, where voters are pushed to choose between two dominant figures regardless of their record.
“Ugandans are strange people. For them it is either or. If you are talking about one politician’s corruption you shouldn’t point out where another politician has also failed the citizens. Sorry, I don’t subscribe to that.
That’s even why the exhibition is #UgandaParliamentExhibitionII everyone involved in it will be mentioned. And whether all politicians are dishonest or not, it doesn’t stop me from calling them out. You can thank them or congratulate them but me I will point out their dishonesty.”
The reference to #UgandaParliamentExhibitionII reflects a broader civic accountability drive that has previously exposed alleged misconduct in Parliament, drawing both support and criticism from political actors.
Atuhaire’s intervention highlights growing frustration among sections of civil society over what they describe as recycled leadership choices in Uganda’s politics, where major positions are often contested by familiar figures across party lines.
Her rejection of both Among and Mao places her firmly in a camp of activists who argue that leadership contests should go beyond political loyalty or elite bargaining, and instead focus on integrity and accountability