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By Ben Musanje
A letter written by Democratic Party (DP) president general Norbert Mao to President Yoweri Museveni seeking support for his bid for Speaker of Uganda’s 12th Parliament has ignited fresh political intrigue ahead of next week’s crucial parliamentary elections.
In the May 19, 2026 letter, Mao formally informed Museveni of his candidature for Speaker and appealed for an opportunity to present his case before the ruling National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) top decision-making organs.
“I write to inform you that I’m a candidate for the position of Speaker of the 12th Parliament,” Mao stated in the letter addressed to the President at State House Entebbe.
The veteran politician, who recently won the Laroo-Pece parliamentary seat, reminded Museveni of the support he received during his campaign and highlighted the existing cooperation agreement between the DP and NRM as a basis for seeking the ruling party’s backing.
“As MP for Laroo-Pece — a seat I campaigned for successfully with your support — and also as leader of the Democratic Party which is an ally of the National Resistance Movement, I request your support for my candidature,” Mao wrote.
The letter, now circulating widely in political circles, also contains a request for Mao to be allowed to appear before the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) and the party’s Parliamentary Caucus alongside other candidates interested in the Speaker position.
Mao argued that allowing all interested candidates to be vetted and ranked by the NRM caucus would provide a fair assessment of who commands the strongest political support before the matter proceeds to the full Parliament.
“A proper ranking of the strength of each candidate by the Caucus will be a clear indication of the support each candidate enjoys,” he stated, while pledging to abide by the final decision reached by the caucus.
The development comes at a politically sensitive moment for the ruling party following the sudden withdrawal of outgoing Speaker Anita Annet Among from the race amid reports of anti-corruption investigations and raids on properties linked to her.
Museveni has since summoned an urgent NRM CEC meeting scheduled for Friday, May 22, to settle on the party’s preferred candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker ahead of the parliamentary elections slated for Monday, May 25.
Mao’s decision to directly lobby Museveni has further fueled debate over the growing cooperation between the DP leader and the ruling establishment. Last month, Mao became the first opposition politician to attend the NRM National Delegates Conference in Kyankwanzi after receiving a special invitation from Museveni.
However, NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong has insisted that CEC meetings are reserved strictly for NRM members unless the party chairman personally extends an invitation. Todwong also clarified that the cooperation arrangement between NRM and DP does not involve sharing party positions but rather focuses on governance and policy collaboration.
Despite speculation earlier this week suggesting Mao had withdrawn from the race, the DP leader has publicly maintained that he remains firmly in contention for the powerful parliamentary office.
Speaking during a DP media briefing on Tuesday this week, Mao dismissed reports of his exit and vowed to continue campaigning despite growing endorsements within the NRM for Defence Minister and West Budama Central MP Jacob Oboth-Oboth.
The Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), a pressure group associated with Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has already endorsed Oboth-Oboth for Speaker and Thomas Tayebwa for Deputy Speaker, increasing pressure on the ruling party as it seeks to maintain internal unity.
With the Speaker election only days away, Mao’s letter to Museveni has now become the latest focal point in an increasingly unpredictable succession battle that is exposing shifting alliances and deep political calculations within Uganda’s power structure. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
