By Our Reporter 

Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao has described his bid for the Speakership of Uganda’s 12th Parliament as a necessary moral and political struggle, saying the contest helped revive debate on accountability and independence within the legislature.

In a statement shared on X following the heated parliamentary race, Mao said his campaign was never centered on numerical strength but on confronting what he viewed as growing political complacency and fear within Parliament.

“Despite the tyranny of numbers that overwhelmed us, we declare that ours was not a numerical challenge but a moral challenge,” Mao wrote.

The Democratic Party president revealed that many colleagues and political allies discouraged him from contesting, citing the overwhelming numerical advantage enjoyed by candidates aligned to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

According to Mao, some legislators warned him that strict partisan voting would leave him with minimal support in the House. He disclosed that one Member of Parliament told him he would be “lucky to get ten votes” during the Speakership ballot.

Mao said he responded by staking his political future on the contest, publicly declaring that he would resign from Parliament if he failed to secure at least ten votes.

“We took up a fight everyone was cowering from and faced attacks from many quarters, including from friends blinded by short-term considerations,” he said.

Although Mao acknowledged the steep political challenge posed by the NRM’s dominance in Parliament, he insisted that the campaign succeeded in drawing national attention to concerns surrounding parliamentary independence, internal democracy, and political accountability.

“Thanks to the power of outrage fueled by many patriots, Parliament can breathe again,” Mao stated. “Our collective efforts brought a gush of fresh air in Parliament.”

Political analysts say Mao’s remarks reflect broader frustrations among sections of the political class and the public over increasing party control in legislative processes. His candidacy, though considered a long shot, was viewed by supporters as an attempt to challenge entrenched political structures and encourage open democratic competition within Parliament.

The Speakership race has since sparked wider discussion about the future direction of Uganda’s legislature, particularly regarding the balance between party loyalty and independent decision-making among Members of Parliament.

While candidates backed by the ruling establishment remained favorites throughout the contest, Mao’s statements suggest he considers the campaign successful in stimulating public discourse and emboldening lawmakers willing to challenge prevailing political dynamics.