The war of words between Norbert Mao and Anita Among has escalated following remarks made at the NRM retreat held at the National Leadership Institute (NALI). During the retreat on Wednesday, Speaker Among said cooperation between political parties does not amount to crossing certain boundaries. “We do cooperate with different political parties, but the cooperation […]
The war of words between Norbert Mao and Anita Among has escalated following remarks made at the NRM retreat held at the National Leadership Institute (NALI).
During the retreat on Wednesday, Speaker Among said cooperation between political parties does not amount to crossing certain boundaries.
“We do cooperate with different political parties, but the cooperation does not mean that if we are cooperating, you come up to my bedroom. You remain in the compound. You don’t come up to the bedroom. The bedroom this time around is the speakership,” Among said.
The remarks were widely interpreted as directed at Mao, the Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister and President of the Democratic Party, who has a formal cooperation agreement with the ruling NRM government chaired by Yoweri Museveni.
Mao Responds
In a pointed response, Mao rejected the suggestion that he was an intruder.
“First and foremost, I’m a guest of the national chairman of the NRM. I’m not an intruder. True, I don’t belong to the NRM, but we have got a written cooperation agreement,” Mao said.
He argued that aspiring for the Speakership does not amount to trespassing.
“To make a statement that for Norbert Mao, who is a leader of the Democratic Party and who is the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs of the Republic of Uganda, to aspire to be Speaker of Parliament amounts to intruding or trespassing in the NRM bedroom surely that is beneath the dignity of someone who holds the high office of Speaker.” he said
Mao further stated that the Constitution sets qualifications for Speaker, and that election depends on majority support in Parliament.
“My only case is I should be on the shortlist. I should be vetted like any other aspirant,” he said.
He also noted that he already serves in Cabinet by appointment of the President.
“That was not only bad politics. It was bad manners. Anybody who insults a guest insults the host. Anybody who insults me, who has been invited by the President, who is also the national chairman of the NRM, is basically insulting the President of Uganda.” Mao said.
Mao confirmed that he had been scheduled to speak at the retreat but said he did not mind being dropped from the programme.
“I really don’t mind. I have many platforms. But this is a time bound contest, and after the contest, we need each other to build our country,” he said.
He insisted that the rules governing the contest discourage campaigning and instead encourage candidates to present their qualifications.
“That statement was beneath someone who holds such a high office. Extremely undignified. Uncalled for. Really gutter politics,” Mao said.
