A political exchange has emerged between Speaker Anita Among and Democratic Party (DP) President General and Minister for Justice, Norbert Mao, highlighting growing tensions ahead of the anticipated speakership race.
While addressing NRM Members of Parliament at the Kyankwanzi retreat, Among drew a line on the extent of cooperation between political parties, suggesting that such collaboration has clear limits.
“We do cooperate with other political parties, but the cooperation doesn’t mean that you come up to my bedroom; you remain in the compound,” Among said.
Her remarks appeared to reference the presence of non-NRM figures at the retreat, including Mao, who serves as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
In response, Mao criticised the Speaker’s comments in a post on X (formerly Twitter), describing them as inappropriate and disrespectful.
“This is not just bad politics. It is bad manners!” Mao wrote. “Only the head of the family has the final word on who can access which room in the home. He doesn’t need lectures from a recently adopted child! Above all, when you insult your father’s visitors, you’ve insulted your father.”
The exchange comes against the backdrop of an increasingly competitive political environment, with reports of a looming contest for the speakership position currently held by Among.
Analysts say the public spat reflects broader political undercurrents within Uganda’s multiparty framework, particularly around cooperation agreements and boundaries of engagement between ruling and opposition-aligned actors.
