The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, has strongly responded to comments made by Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao, who recently described her as an “accidental Speaker.”
Among rejected the claim and insisted that her position was earned through a clear and overwhelming vote by Members of Parliament.
The disagreement between the two leaders began after Mao made remarks about the circumstances that led to Among becoming Speaker.
Mao argued that her rise to the position happened because of unforeseen events following the death of the former Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah, in 2022.
Oulanyah’s passing created a sudden vacancy in the leadership of Parliament. At the time, Anita Among was serving as the Deputy Speaker, a position that placed her next in line during the transition period.
Following the unfortunate death of Oulanyah, Parliament organized a vote to elect a new Speaker. In that election, Anita Among received strong support from Members of Parliament and was elected to take over the role.
However, Mao recently described this development as an “accidental” outcome. According to him, the situation was not something that had been planned because no one expects the sudden death of a sitting Speaker.
Speaking after he was elected Member of Parliament for Laroo-Pece, Mao said that Oulanyah’s death created an unexpected opening in Parliament. In his view, the position had to be filled quickly because the country needed leadership in the legislative arm of government.
Mao explained that when Oulanyah passed away, Parliament had no choice but to elect a replacement. He argued that this situation resulted in what he described as an “accidental Speaker.”
The minister also suggested that he felt personally challenged by the situation. He reflected on his friendship with the late Oulanyah and wondered what the former Speaker might say if he met him in the afterlife.
Mao said he sometimes thinks about whether Oulanyah would question him for remaining silent about the current leadership in Parliament. According to him, the situation created an opportunity for political competition over the Speakership.
These remarks sparked reactions from different political observers and leaders, with many waiting to see how Anita Among would respond to the statement.
Among eventually addressed the issue while speaking during a Women’s Day breakfast meeting held at Parliament. The event brought together several women Members of Parliament-elect ahead of celebrations of International Women’s Day.
While addressing the gathering, Among directly responded to Mao’s comments. She questioned how anyone could call her an accidental Speaker when she had been elected by a large number of MPs.
According to Among, her election was legitimate and supported by an overwhelming majority in Parliament. She emphasized that 415 Members of Parliament voted for her during the election for Speaker.
She explained that such a large number of votes clearly shows that her leadership was not an accident but a deliberate decision made by elected representatives.
Among also pointed out that there is no specific school that trains people to become Speaker of Parliament. She said leadership positions in Parliament are decided through elections and the trust given by MPs.
In her view, the support she received from MPs automatically made her the rightful Speaker. She therefore dismissed the suggestion that her leadership came about by chance.
The Speaker also expressed confidence about the future leadership of Parliament. She said she believes she will retain the Speakership in the upcoming 12th Parliament.
Among further predicted that the current Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, would also maintain his position in the next parliamentary term.
She used the nicknames “Triple A” to refer to herself and “Double T” for Tayebwa, saying that by God’s grace they would both continue leading Parliament.
The political debate has also drawn attention after President Yoweri Museveni reportedly endorsed Anita Among for re-election as Speaker. This endorsement is seen by some observers as a major boost to her chances.
With political competition already building around the Speakership of the 12th Parliament, the exchange between Mao and Among highlights the growing tension and debate about leadership in Uganda’s legislative body.
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