Why NRM Cannot Support Mao for Speakership but Supports Anita Among

By Joseph Admin Opio
The Okadibong President

The race for the Speaker of Parliament in Uganda is not only about personality. It is about party loyalty, political history, and strategic trust. This explains why the National Resistance Movement cannot support Norbert Mao for the Speakership, yet openly backs Anita Among.

First, party loyalty matters in NRM politics. The Speakership is one of the most powerful offices in government. It controls parliamentary business, discipline, and the relationship between Parliament and the Executive. For NRM, this position must be held by someone whose loyalty to the party is unquestionable. Anita Among is a long-time NRM cadre who has risen through party structures and served consistently within the movement. Her political identity is firmly rooted in NRM.

Norbert Mao, on the other hand, is historically an opposition figure. He built his political career in the Democratic Party and spent years criticizing NRM policies and leadership. Although he later joined government, his political brand remains that of an opposition leader turned ally. For NRM, this creates a trust gap. The Speakership requires not only competence but political alignment. Supporting Mao would mean handing a powerful institutional seat to someone whose political foundations are outside the movement.

Second, party strategy favors internal cohesion. NRM uses key leadership positions to reward loyalty and strengthen internal unity. Supporting Anita Among sends a message to party members that commitment and service within the party are valued. If NRM were to bypass its own loyal members and support Mao, it would create frustration within the party ranks. Cadres who have worked for years would feel sidelined. This would weaken party morale and discipline.

Third, ideological consistency matters. Anita Among has consistently defended NRM positions in Parliament. She has aligned herself with government programs and legislative priorities. This gives NRM confidence that the Speaker’s office will work smoothly with the Executive. Mao’s political record shows a history of opposing NRM positions on governance, electoral reforms, and constitutional matters. Even if he now cooperates with government, his past positions make him unpredictable from NRM’s perspective.

Fourth, public perception also plays a role. NRM must present itself as a strong and united party. Supporting Mao would raise questions among voters and party supporters about NRM’s ability to produce its own leaders. Backing Anita Among shows political strength and continuity. It also reinforces the image of NRM as a party that rewards its own.

Finally, the Speakership is not just about personal merit. It is about political control and policy direction. NRM wants a Speaker who understands its internal dynamics, respects party caucus decisions, and can manage Parliament in line with government priorities. Anita Among fits this profile because she is deeply embedded in the party system. Mao does not.

In conclusion, NRM’s support for Anita Among and rejection of Mao for the Speakership is driven by loyalty, strategy, trust, and political history. While Mao may have experience and national stature, the Speakership requires more than reputation. It requires alignment with the ruling party’s interests. For NRM, that alignment exists with Anita Among, not with Norbert Mao.