✍️Politician|Hon Vice President |Head of Campaigns @CWO|Political & Election Analyst| Consultancy | Magistrate |Founders of UYD|At the service of the Nation 🌐
“A vigilant citizenry is the greatest bulwark against human rights abuses.” That was my response to the question posed by LOP @JoelSsenyonyi who wanted to know what guarantees I can give that human rights abuses shall be stopped.
I didn’t see this one coming! My confidence and stick-to-itiveness being compared to Arsenal’s🤣. Behold the 12th Parliament Speakers https://t.co/I413vyGaMt
Before we say goodbye to former Uganda Parliament Speaker Anita Annet Among (AAA), who was brought down by a scandal over a very expensive Rolls-Royce “gift”, let us close with something about the car’s history.
The “Spirit of Ecstasy” is the iconic sculpted mascot that sits on the bonnet (hood) of every Rolls-Royce motor car. It depicts a woman leaning forward with her arms outstretched behind and above her. It was modelled after Eleanor Velasco Thornton (also known as Thorn), who was caught in a secret, passionate affair with the wealthy British aristocrat John Walter Edward Douglas-Scott-Montagu, 2nd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu. Eleanor was Montagu’s secretary.
On 30 December 1915, Eleanor and Lord Montagu were travelling to India aboard the passenger steamship SS Persia when it was torpedoed by a German submarine off the coast of Crete in the Mediterranean.
The ship sank in just five minutes. While Lord Montagu miraculously survived by clinging to a life raft, Eleanor drowned along with hundreds of others.
Pity we only paid attention to this now. We could have warned AAA that a Rolls-Royce is no car for a lady; its mascot is quite literally the tragic epitaph of a woman lost at sea. And, I can't resist this one: “The Thorn” would have been a fitting nickname indeed for Among.
The recent attacks by @Mbidde against Hon. @norbertmao expose more about personal frustration than genuine concern for the Democratic Party.
Throughout his address, Mbidde’s biggest grievance appeared to be that the DP-NRM cooperation agreement did not personally benefit him politically.
Instead of presenting a clear ideological alternative for DP, the focus was largely on missed appointments, failed political ambitions and anger over political isolation after the agreement.
It is also evident that part of this campaign against Chairman Mao is driven by bitterness over Mao’s bold stance in exposing the excesses surrounding @AnitahAmong at a time when many leaders chose silence. The same people who defended and protected those excesses are now turning against Mao for speaking out.
If the struggle was truly about rebuilding DP, the conversation would center on structures, mobilization, ideology and national relevance, not personal disappointments and political revenge missions.
Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. To all the table bangers, our fight was not in vain. This is a great step forward. There are many other low hanging fruits to be picked in the first 100 days of JM’s Speakership.
DP President General Norbert Mao has called for a comprehensive forensic audit into Uganda’s Parliament, warning that corruption allegations already in the public domain represent only “the tip of the iceberg” of a deeper system of nepotism, patronage, abuse of office and institutional decay allegedly entrenched during the tenure of former Speaker Anita Among.
Speaking to journalists at Parliament on May 26, Mao urged the newly elected parliamentary leadership to focus not only on repairing the Legislature’s battered public image but also on restoring institutional integrity, accountability and public trust.
“We are calling upon the new leadership of Parliament not just to focus on image management. The focus should be on the substance of what Parliament was established to do. Our message is simple: don’t just look good, be good,” Mao said.
The remarks come amid mounting public scrutiny over alleged financial impropriety, questionable procurement processes, and accusations of political patronage within Parliament, issues that have increasingly dominated Uganda’s governance discourse in recent years.
Mao argued that only an independent forensic audit and inquiry process can uncover the full scale of alleged wrongdoing, particularly in recruitment and procurement systems.
“Some of the things already in the public domain are merely the tip of the iceberg. Nepotism reached alarming levels. A patronage system was established where influential individuals allegedly secured jobs for their children and allies in exchange for political loyalty,” Mao said.
He alleged that ministers, judges and other powerful figures benefited from the system, leading to what he described as the intimidation and weakening of Parliament’s civil service structures.
“We have played the ostrich game for too long, burying our heads while Parliament collapses under the weight of institutional fear and compromised systems. Only a serious inquiry can establish who obtained jobs without merit or qualifications,” he added.
Mao, who also serves as MP for Laroo-Pece Division in Gulu City, proposed structural reforms to strengthen oversight within Parliament. Among the proposals is the appointment of a non-Member of Parliament to the Parliamentary Commission, the body responsible for Parliament’s administration and finances.
“We are asking: who watches the watchdogs? Parliament has demonstrated that it struggles to exercise oversight over itself. A hybrid commission with an independent non-MP member could improve accountability,” Mao argued.
The Democratic Party also called for greater citizen participation in parliamentary business, proposing annual public agenda-setting sessions where Ugandans directly identify key national issues requiring parliamentary debate and action.
Mao cited urban flooding in Kampala as an example of pressing public concerns Parliament should prioritise.
“If traders in Kampala want flooding debated, Parliament should respond and even establish ad hoc committees where necessary. Evidence-based debate cannot work if MPs are blocked from presenting findings after collecting evidence,” he said, referencing controversies surrounding investigations into the national carrier, Uganda Airlines.
Mao further claimed that the election of Jacob Oboth-Oboth as Speaker had already created what he described as “fresh air” within Parliament.
“There is now a remarkable feeling of openness and accessibility. Removing what is harmful is only the first step; the next step is building what is useful,” he said.
The calls for reform gained additional momentum after Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS and former Constituent Assembly member, publicly demanded an independent inquiry into alleged corruption and impunity within Parliament.
DP’s @norbertmao said, “If you have people whose only thinking is that Mao got and we didn’t, that is why they are running around making noise,” adding that he has always wished others well even when he was in Cabinet while others were not. He further noted, “I have been insulted for serving as a minister, yet those insulting me are now lobbying for ministerial posts.
This message is directed to @Mbidde 😅😅
The whole country can now see how @norbertmao would be the best speaker. Even MPs themselves know Mao would not make their debates great, but would protect their independence and autonomy. However, those “linchpins” could not let that happen.
Congratulations on your appointment, Hon. @norbertmao
We wish you and the entire team at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs great success as you take on this responsibility.
This message is for those like @Mbidde who remain stuck in transactional politics chasing positions, patronage, and short-term gains.
Hon. Norbert Mao’s (@norbertmao) vision goes far beyond any individual post. It is rooted in national unity, reconciliation across divides, and a peaceful, orderly transition that puts Uganda first.
True leadership is not about “what I get,” but about what we build together for the next generation.
DP’s @norbertmao said, “If you have people whose only thinking is that Mao got and we didn’t, that is why they are running around making noise,” adding that he has always wished others well even when he was in Cabinet while others were not. He further noted, “I have been insulted for serving as a minister, yet those insulting me are now lobbying for ministerial posts.”#ChimpReportsNews
✍️ Congratulations to Ladit @norbertmao#DP on his new appointment. A political veteran, he is looking forward to contributing and working with the new speaker, Deputy Speaker, and all elected parliamentarians, with a fundamental drive to build a better Uganda 🇺🇬 for all.
Most importantly, the DP president is more sure than ever to continue working in an alliance-partnership with the NRM #UgandaFirst 🇺🇬 @KagutaMuseveni@ObothOboth@Thomas_Tayebwa@Parliament_Ug
I wish to thank the President for reappointing this corruption antidote as Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
Congratulations, one-man army, Hon @norbertmao
To Ladit Mao. @norbertmao
I remember a story of peace. On 102 Mega FM when you could narrate how Joseph Kony the LRA Commander could call you on phone and you would share the conversation with the President @KagutaMuseveni , The question is “Why would a rebel leader trust you to be a bridge among others? For time immemorial you have proven to be the mediator, the National negotiator and peace builder we grew up learning about and knowing eventually. Peace is Mao, you have consistently demonstrated a rare brand of leadership defined by integrity, intellectual depth, and an unwavering commitment to national dialogue.
Allow me to extend my warmest congratulations to you on your well-merited reappointment to the Cabinet.
Your ability to navigate complex political landscapes while remaining a steadfast anchor for constitutionalism and structured governance is a true testament to your statesmanlike character.
Bravo.
MAO'S CANDIDATURE FOR SPEAKER PART 2: SO WHAT OF BRAVERY BEING A DEFINING LINE BETWEEN SUCCESSFUL NATION AND STATE DECAY?
There are many areas I would cover but will limit myself to two; FIGHTING CORRUPTION, AND REPAIRING THE SHATTERED IMIGE OF PARLIAMENT. Of course, achieving both would depend on whether it is the DESIRABLE END STATE of Government. See, in Governance, ZERO CORRUPTION can be very dangerous for States that depend on PATRONAGE for Survival. Just like NON-CORRUPT(clean), VIBRANT AND ASSERTIVE( strong 💪) Parliaments would spell disaster for HEADSTRONG, NON-ACCOUNTABLE EXECUTIVES. So it is usually deliberate that PARLIAMENTS are allowed to become centres of crime and STINK, so that they are very UNPOPULAR. But in the case of Uganda(NRM), I will assume the End State is to completely eradicate corruption and save the image of the decayed Parliament. So, if this is the END STATE , then, Mao's Speakership would have been the most appropriate. WHY? Because to turn around that corrupt Parliament would require a Speaker whose power Resides outside Parliament. MAO'S Speakership would entirely be at the mercy of the President, and not MPs, unlike AMONG who had cultivated an INDEPENDENT POLITICAL BASE. So if the President's desire is to eradicate corruption in Parliament, MAO would be more than a willing TOOL. SECONDLY, Mao is an AMBITIOUS POLITICIAN, but also an INTELLIGENT man. So he would fight corruption not only because it is the right thing to do, but also because it would add on his CV for the TOP OFFICE.
This is where NRM FAILED THE BRAVERY TEST! Utilising MAO'S STRENGTH BUT ALSO CONTAINING HIS PRESIDENTIAL AMBITIONS! This would require BRAVERY AND BRAINS. So they chose to go for the SAFE OPTION!
But what of MAO himself; because MAO is intelligent enough to know that the internal politics within NRM and most especially at this particular time would not permit his SPEAKERSHIP. So why did he insist on standing when, most likely, knew he would not win? It was because of the INTERNAL POLITICS WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY(DP) AND HIS POSITIONING FOR THE TRANSITION HE KEEPS TALKNG ABOUT. This will be PART 3.
Hon. @norbertmao: Some of you have forgotten that I'm also an elected MP. I saw reports yesterday saying that I'm at a crossroads, what crossroads?
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