Former intelligence chief Lt. Gen. (rtd) David Sejusa has weighed in on the ongoing race for Speaker of Uganda’s 12th Parliament, arguing that Justice Minister Norbert Mao remains politically relevant despite shifting momentum toward rival candidates following Anita Among’s withdrawal.
Among’s exit from the contest has significantly reshaped the race, narrowing the field and strengthening the position of West Budama County South MP Jacob Oboth-Oboth, who is now widely seen as the frontrunner with reported backing from key ruling party structures and State House-linked political coordination.
Against this backdrop, Sejusa argues that Mao should not be written off, suggesting that several political pathways could still reposition him within the evolving power structure.
Scenario One: Exit from DP leadership and new political alignment
Sejusa’s first scenario focuses on a possible leadership shift within the Democratic Party, where Mao would step down as party president.
In this arrangement, Sejusa suggests Mao could transition into a broader political realignment with the ruling establishment, potentially involving a negotiated understanding between the DP and the National Resistance Movement.
He states:
“FIRSTLY: So Mao declares that he is relinquishing the DP Presidency and elections for DP leadership will be held in due course. In the meantime, he is negotiating a new pact with NRM-O which will look at a MERGER of the two Parties; NRM & DP... so he now passes as part of NRM....”
Scenario Two: Political precedent through party exit
Sejusa then draws parallels with previous political shifts, arguing that similar moves have been made by other opposition figures who later joined government structures.
He cites former minister Betty Kamya as an example of such a transition, where she left party leadership and eventually aligned with the ruling establishment.
He explains:
“SECONDLY, do a Betty Kamya thing... remember when Betty abandoned her party presidency in the Uganda Federal Alliance and became minister for Kampala?... She was later dismissed from her party and ultimately joined NRM....”
Scenario Three: Leadership handover and independent positioning
The third scenario outlined by Sejusa involves Mao relinquishing the Democratic Party leadership to another senior figure within the party, including names such as Fred Mbidde or Richard Sebamala.
Under this arrangement, Sejusa suggests Mao could reposition himself as an independent Member of Parliament with a leaning toward the ruling establishment, allowing him to remain politically influential without formal party obligations.
He states:
“THIRD: Mao relinquishes DP leadership to Mbidde or Hon. Sebamala and becomes an NRM-leaning independent Member of Parliament...”
Fourth scenario left undisclosed
Sejusa further adds that there is an additional scenario he chooses not to disclose publicly, hinting at deeper political negotiations or possibilities that may still be unfolding behind the scenes.
He notes:
“There is a 4th; this, I will keep to myself for now.”
He concludes his remarks with a cautionary message against prematurely dismissing Mao from the speakership calculations:
“DONT WRITE MAO OFF YET....”
Broader race shaped by consolidation around Oboth-Oboth
The Speaker race has increasingly consolidated following Anita Among’s withdrawal, with reports indicating growing alignment within ruling party structures behind Jacob Oboth-Oboth.
Her exit removed one of the key contenders in the race and shifted political attention toward internal consensus-building within the ruling establishment ahead of the parliamentary vote.