Isaac Ssemakadde, President of the Uganda Law Society (ULS), has offered a pointed interpretation of the ongoing speakership race, explaining why Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao was reportedly not endorsed despite being a declared contestant alongside Speaker Anita Among.
His remarks come as Defence and Veteran Affairs Minister Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth gains momentum in the race after securing reported backing from the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), its leader Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and President Yoweri Museveni.
Ssemakadde rooted his analysis in a past political statement by Mao, which he said continues to shape perceptions within elite political circles.
“You cannot say you are fighting malaria and then you are a friend to mosquitoes.” — Norbert Mao
According to Ssemakadde, that statement now reflects the contradictions that influence how political loyalty and credibility are assessed in high-stakes contests such as the speakership race.
“That single statement explains why many in the Patriotic League Uganda (PLU) reportedly distanced themselves from Mao. In politics, consistency matters. You cannot claim to stand for change while maintaining alliances that contradict the very struggle people expect you to fight.”
He argued that Mao’s position within government, following his earlier opposition politics, has created mixed interpretations among political actors who prioritize alignment and predictability when making endorsements.
“For PLU supporters, the issue was not just words — it was trust, loyalty, and political direction. Many believed Mao’s cooperation with the establishment blurred the line between opposition and collaboration. To them, you cannot oppose a system during the day and defend it at night.”
Ssemakadde further emphasized that in parliamentary leadership races, perception often outweighs formal qualifications, especially when influential blocs are shaping outcomes behind the scenes.
“Politics is perception. And once people begin to see contradiction, support starts to fade.”