Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao has defended his earlier remarks in which he praised Speaker Anita Among, after a past statement resurfaced online sparking renewed political debate ahead of the speakership contest.
The controversy was reignited after activist Agather Atuhaire reshared Mao’s earlier comments, where he strongly defended Among against corruption allegations.
The post quickly circulated on social media, drawing mixed reactions and criticism from sections of the public.
“I can’t stop laughing at this. I am happy you people keep receipts because I knew he had defended her at some point but didn’t remember the zeal with which he did. I swear politicians are not normal people,” Atuhaire wrote, in a post that amplified the debate online.
The resurfaced statement quoted Mao speaking positively about the Speaker’s financial conduct and philanthropy.
In the earlier remarks, Mao had said he personally knew Among and suggested she had no personal financial accumulation due to her charitable giving.
“I know the Speaker very well. Right now, when you check her bank account, she has no single coin. Her account balance is zero because she donates all her earnings to individuals with problems, churches, public projects and schools. Even Namilyango College is a beneficiary of her generosity,” Mao had said.
The statement has since become a focal point of criticism, with political observers questioning the consistency of leaders’ positions in the context of Uganda’s highly competitive parliamentary leadership race, where Mao and Among are now political rivals for the speakership position.
In response to the renewed attention, Mao issued a fresh clarification, saying his earlier position was based on the information available at the time and that he now acknowledges updated perspectives.
“I stand corrected. Thanks to new data. Even those who believed that the sun moved around the earth eventually changed their position when faced with new information,” Mao stated on X.
He further urged for a more evidence-based approach to public discourse, especially on allegations of corruption involving high-ranking officials.
Mao framed his argument around legal standards of proof in criminal proceedings, calling for restraint in judgement without conclusive evidence.
“But let’s face this matter with seriousness and honesty: assuming both I and the outgoing Speaker were charged with corruption and knowing the high standard for a criminal conviction, namely beyond reasonable doubt, whose file would have enough evidence to secure a conviction?” he added.
The remarks have added a new dimension to the ongoing political tension surrounding the speakership race, with analysts noting that the contest is increasingly being shaped by past statements, public perception, and accountability debates.
While Mao’s clarification attempts to reposition his earlier comments, critics argue that the resurfaced statement highlights the challenges politicians face when navigating shifting alliances and public scrutiny in Uganda’s competitive political environment.