Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao has recounted his efforts to challenge Anita Annet Among’s hold on the speakership of Parliament, saying the NRM alone could not remove her from the position she had reached because of the fear surrounding her.
Mao, Laroo-Pece Division Member of Parliament made the remarks while appearing on 102 Mega FM, where he described Among using her own previous comparison of herself to a jigger parasite.
“I want to tell you that NRM alone could not remove Hon. Anita Annet Among from where she had reached,” Mao said.
He recalled Among previously saying that she was like a jigger, arguing that removing such a parasite requires someone with steady hands because an improper attempt could cause it to burst and multiply its eggs.
Mao said he viewed the analogy as an illustration of the political challenge surrounding Among.
“She said she is a jigger who has burrowed herself under NRM, where everybody fears her, bribes lawyers and threatens everybody,” he alleged.
He further claimed that even influential people in Acholi could not openly speak against her.
“If in Acholi the powerful could not even open their mouths to speak out the truth, it is me who came out and said I have accepted to walk on spear grass barefooted,” Mao said.
He explained that his upbringing in the village had taught him how to deal with difficult circumstances, saying he was prepared to confront the political challenge regardless of the risks involved.
Mao said his decision to challenge Among came at a time when reports indicated that the NRM had already settled on her and her former deputy to lead the 12th Parliament.
He also claimed that the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) had decided that Among should retain the speakership.
According to Mao, PLU Party President and CDF Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba subsequently posted on X urging him, whom he referred to as his “big brother,” to abandon the contest for Speaker.
Mao said the public message only strengthened his determination.
“I said to myself that I have already stepped on the fire. I will not tamper with my brake; I will just increase my speed,” he said.
The minister further claimed that emissaries were later sent to his home to persuade him to abandon the challenge, allegedly offering him the position of Prime Minister.
“They even sent people to my house convincing me that, ‘Mao, you accept; we shall put you the Prime Minister,’” he said.
Mao said that despite the pressure, more people eventually began supporting his position.
He also recounted his experience at the NRM retreat in Kyankwanzi, claiming that some of his fellow Acholi were afraid to be photographed with him because of the alleged consequences.
“Even my own fellow Acholi people never wanted their photos to be taken with me because when they take your photo with Mao, they call you and threaten your life,” he alleged.
Mao's remarks portray his opposition to Among's continued leadership of Parliament as a deliberate political gamble, undertaken despite what he described as intimidation, political pressure and attempts to persuade him to step aside.
