The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has called on Justice Minister and President of the Democratic Party Norbert Mao, to withdraw from the speakership race in favour of incumbent Speaker Anita Annet as jabs between the two took centre stage at the ongoing NRM retreat in Kyankwanzi.
In a post on his official X account, Muhoozi advised Mao to refrain from running from the post, advising him further that he could secure better positions.
“I respectfully request my big brother, Ladit Mao, not to run for Speaker of Parliament. Please listen to your younger brother we can secure better positions,” he posted.
Gen Muhoozi’s intervention follows a bitter exchange between Mao and Among over who should be the ruling party’s representative for the speakership role.
While addressing elected legislators at the retreat, Speaker Among stirred controversy when she alluded that the NRM’s cooperation with different political parties, doesn’t mean the affiliates have influence in the party decisions.
“We do cooperate with different political parties, but the cooperation does not mean that if we are cooperating, you come up to my bedroom… The bedroom this time around is the speakership,” Among said.
Among’s comments were interpreted as a direct attack at Mao who is seeking to replace her in the next Parliament.
In response, the justice Minister described Speaker Among’s comments as politically misguided and disrespectful.
“This is not just bad politics. It is bad manners. To suggest that my aspiration amounts to trespassing in the NRM bedroom is beneath the dignity of someone who holds the high office of Speaker” he said.
Mao further pointed out that he was in Kyankwazi on the invite of President Yoweri Museveni, and any person attacking him at the retreat would be attacking the President directly.
“I’m a guest of the National Chairman of the NRM. I’m not an intruder. Anybody who insults me, who has been invited by the President, is basically insulting the President” he posted.
The two former strong members of the opposition public jabs came day after President Museveni while addressing NRM, MP – elects that the earlier decision by the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) to endorse Ms Among and her deputy, Mr Thomas Tayebwa, for another five-year term would be subject to further discussion.
“Regarding the issue of standing for Speaker, that is a matter we shall discuss at the appropriate time. CEC had earlier recommended maintaining the current arrangement, but this remains a recommendation,” Museveni said.
The race for the Speakership took another spin after Mao and political analyst Andrew Mwenda were blocked from addressing the retreat, a move that Mao said was aimed at silencing alternative views within the caucus.
Now, Gen Muhoozi’s call for Mao to step aside now places the army chief directly within the unfolding political contest, signalling possible efforts within the establishment to manage the race and avoid a divisive outcome.
