Politics 9 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Mao and Among Clash Over Speaker 'Bedroom' in Heated Public Spat
Incumbent Speaker Anita Among accused Norbert Mao of overstepping into her 'bedroom'—the Speaker position—during an NRM retreat, prompting Mao to call her remarks bad manners from a 'recently adopted child.' This exchange follows President Museveni's statement that the NRM CEC's endorsement of Among and Deputy Thomas Tayebwa is open for discussion. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/mao-vs-among-who-will-control-the-bedroom--5418700
A public war of words erupted between Speaker Anita Among and Justice Minister Norbert Mao at the NRM Parliamentary Caucus retreat in Kyankwanzi. Among, the Bukedea District Woman MP, lashed out at Mao, suggesting he had invaded her political ‘bedroom’ despite the cooperation agreement between his Democratic Party and the NRM.
‘You don’t come into my bedroom,’ Among stated firmly, equating the Speakership to a private domain off-limits even to allies. The video of her comments spread rapidly on social media.
Mao, now Laro-Pecce MP-elect and attending the retreat at President Museveni’s invitation, fired back on X. He portrayed Among as an ungrateful ‘recently adopted child’ insulting her ‘father’—a reference to Museveni—and stressed that only the family head decides access to rooms.
This spat comes a day after Museveni addressed MPs-elect, noting the NRM CEC’s prior endorsement of Among and Deputy Thomas Tayebwa for another term would face further review. He emphasized that the CEC recommends, but the caucus decides, opening the door for contenders like Aringa South MP Alioni Yorke Odria, who prompted the clarification.
The race for 12th Parliament Speaker now features six candidates: Among, Mao, Odria, Mbale City Woman MP-elect Lydia Wanyoto, Masindi District Woman MP Florence Asiimwe Akiiki, and Independent Bukono County MP Persis Namuganza. Aspirants expressed optimism, with Mao arguing against automatic re-endorsements amid concerns over performance and misconduct.
Intense lobbying continues at the retreat despite no formal agenda item, as NRM rules allow the caucus to select flag-bearers from CEC recommendations.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)