Norbert Mao has entered the growing debate surrounding the Patriotic League of Uganda’s (PLU) withdrawal of support for Speaker Anita Among, using his return to Parliament to question accountability in the House and endorse what he described as a firm stance against corruption.
Speaking shortly after taking oath as Laroo-Pece Division Member of Parliament—marking his return to the legislature after two decades—Mao addressed the media and directly referenced PLU’s latest position on the speakership race.
His remarks come amid shifting political alignments following PLU’s decision to retract its earlier endorsement of Among and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa.
Mao suggested that the development should not have come as a surprise, arguing that PLU has consistently maintained that its members would ultimately follow the direction of President Yoweri Museveni.
“They (PLU) have said that before but you know in Uganda people only hear what they want to hear. PLU has been very consistent. They are saying they will follow what the President will direct, they have been repeating that,” Mao said.
His comments appear to align with PLU’s May 12 directive, which instructed its MPs-elect to hold off from backing any candidate until the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and its chairman issue guidance on the leadership of the 12th Parliament.
However, Mao went beyond the immediate political implications to frame the issue as part of a broader fight against corruption—an issue increasingly shaping the narrative around the speakership contest.
“I am happy that the PLU has taken a stand against corruption and fighting corruption means you fight the corrupt. You cannot say you are fighting malaria and then you are a friend to mosquitoes because it is mosquitoes who carry malaria,” he stated.
The analogy underscores a growing perception among sections of political leaders and the public that integrity concerns are now central to the leadership debate in Parliament.
PLU’s withdrawal of support has been widely interpreted as a response to mounting scrutiny over wealth accumulation and governance concerns, particularly surrounding the current Speaker.
At the same time, Mao used the platform to criticize the current leadership of Parliament, accusing it of failing to uphold accountability and contributing to a public perception that legislators operate without restraint.
He argued that such a perception undermines public trust in democratic institutions and called for a reset in how Parliament conducts its business.
Mao’s return to Parliament after 20 years adds a notable voice to an already evolving contest, as political actors reposition themselves ahead of the election of the next Speaker.
His remarks signal that the debate is no longer confined to internal party alignments but is increasingly being framed around governance, transparency, and public confidence.
With PLU stepping back from its earlier endorsement and deferring to the President’s direction, the race for Speaker remains open, setting the stage for intensified lobbying and political maneuvering within the ruling establishment and beyond.