Norbert Mao insists he's still in Speakership race, rejects NRM deal claims

Democratic Party (DP) president Norbert Mao has asserted that he remains a contender for the Speaker of Parliament role. He dismissed recent claims suggesting that the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the Patriotic League of Uganda have already endorsed Jacob Oboth-Oboth for the position.

Speaking at the DP’s weekly press conference, Mao emphasized the significance of the Speaker’s office, stating that leadership selection should not rely on “improvisation” or “trial and error.” He stressed that competence, institutional reforms, and political maturity should be the cornerstones for selecting parliamentary leadership.

Mao cited statements from the NRM Electoral Commission chairperson, Tanga Odoi, indicating that no official endorsement for the Speakership had been made by the ruling party. He also defended the cooperation agreement between the DP and the NRM, highlighting historical ties and mentioning that many past sacrifices that led to the NRM’s rise were made by DP members.

The DP leader rejected accusations of personal ambition driving his political actions, asserting his commitment to a reform agenda aimed at making Parliament “great again.” He believes the choice of Speaker will profoundly influence Uganda’s future direction and the country’s ability to address critical issues like corruption and service delivery.

Mao outlined a vision for a more transparent and people-centered Parliament, including reopening the public gallery for citizens to observe proceedings and translating parliamentary reports into local languages for broader accessibility. The election for the new Speaker is scheduled for next Monday, with several MPs vying for the role.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/mao-says-still-in-speaker-race-despite-reports-of-nrm-backing-oboth-5465914