Norbert Mao has dismissed allegations that he was used as a proxy candidate during the election for Speaker of Uganda’s 12th Parliament.
Mao, who contested for the Speakership on May 25, lost in a race overwhelmingly dominated by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), which tightened its control over Parliament following the victory of Jacob Oboth-Oboth.
The Democratic Party president secured only a small number of votes compared to Oboth-Oboth, whose candidacy had been heavily backed by the NRM establishment.
Following the election, sections of the opposition and political commentators questioned Mao’s participation in the race, arguing that his candidacy may have been influenced by the controversial cooperation agreement between the Democratic Party and the NRM government.
Critics alleged that Mao’s presence on the ballot may have been intended to divide opposition support, legitimise the contest, or raise his political visibility rather than mount a serious challenge for the Speakership.
However, Mao rejected the accusations, insisting that his decision to contest was genuine and independent.
The Justice Minister maintained that he had every constitutional right to seek the position and denied claims that he had been fronted to serve the interests of the ruling party.
The controversy has once again revived debate surrounding the DP-NRM cooperation agreement signed after Mao accepted appointment as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs in President Yoweri Museveni’s government.
Since joining Cabinet, Mao has faced criticism from sections of the opposition who accuse him of weakening the Democratic Party’s opposition identity by working closely with the NRM administration.
Supporters of the agreement, however, argue that cooperation between political actors can help advance national dialogue and institutional reforms.
Mao’s unsuccessful Speakership bid now adds another chapter to the ongoing political debate over the future direction of the Democratic Party and its relationship with the ruling government.
