By Aggrey Baba
The Kampala district Regional leadership of the Democratic Party (DP) has thrown its full weight behind party president and Laroo-Pece MP-elect Norbert Mao for the position of Speaker of Parliament, leaning heavily on his past legislative record to justify the endorsement.
The declaration was made Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at the party’s headquarters on Balintuma Road in Kampala, in a press conference led by National Executive Committee NEC) chairperson Mayambala Kiwanuka and attended by party delegates and senior officials.
But beyond the politics, it is Mao’s history in Parliament that the Kampala branch is using as the backbone of its case.
Members pointed to the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs’ tenure in the 6th Parliament (1996–2001) as MP for Gulu Municipality, describing it as a period in which he established himself as a reform-minded and assertive MP.
At the centre of that record is Mao’s role in the passage of the Amnesty Act, a law widely credited with creating a pathway for rebels in Northern Uganda to abandon armed struggle and return to civilian life.
The leaders described this as a defining contribution to peace-building, stressing that it demonstrated Mao’s ability to use legislation to address complex national crises.
They also highlighted his consistent push for accountability during his time on the Public Accounts Committee, where he was involved in scrutinizing government expenditure and demanding transparency in the use of public funds.
According to them, this experience positions Mao as someone capable of enforcing discipline and order in Parliament. His legislative activism extended to the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, where he engaged in debates shaping governance and constitutional matters.
The leaders say this exposure gave him a deep understanding of parliamentary procedure, an essential requirement for the Speaker’s role.
The Kampala branch further cited Mao’s role in founding the Young Parliamentary Association, an initiative aimed at mentoring new and young MPs, further arguing that this speaks to his long-standing commitment to institution-building and nurturing leadership within Parliament.
Equally emphasized was his stance during the height of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency, led by Joseph Kony. Mao was among the vocal advocates for peace negotiations, often challenging the dominant military approach at the time. The party now frames this as evidence of his willingness to take principled positions, even when they are politically difficult.
Following his tenure in Parliament, Mao transitioned to local government, serving as Gulu District Chairman, before later rising to the helm of the DP. According to the Kampala leadership, this blend of national and grassroots leadership experience gives him a unique advantage.
“With such a background, our leader understands both the pressures of national leadership and the realities on the ground. That balance is critical for a Speaker who must guide debate while remaining fair to all sides.”
The endorsement also casts Mao as a unifying figure at a time when the August House is expected to be more divided. The Kampala branch argues that his history of dialogue and reconciliation makes him suitable to preside over a House that will likely require consensus-building across political divides.
By foregrounding his achievements, DP appears to be crafting a narrative that goes beyond internal loyalty, positioning its President General as a candidate with tested legislative credentials and national appeal.
The DP Kampala leaders has since called on party MPs and other legislators to rally behind Mao’s bid, framing the Speakership not just as a political contest, but as a question of leadership, experience, and institutional integrity. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
