Ugandan politics has taken a tense turn as senior politician Norbert Mao has publicly spoken about the threats he says he continues to receive amid his bid for the Speakership of Parliament.
Mao, who currently serves as State Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, says the political environment surrounding the race for leadership in the next Parliament has become increasingly hostile and uncomfortable.
According to him, he has been receiving repeated warnings suggesting that his life could be in danger. Some of these messages, he says, claim that attempts may even be made to poison him.
He revealed that his phone is frequently filled with such alarming messages. Despite this, Mao insists that he refuses to live his life in fear or intimidation.
In his remarks to journalists, he also mentioned that some warnings go beyond ordinary political threats. He claimed that he has been told that traditional spiritual methods, including witch doctors, may have been consulted against him.
To support his point, Mao recalled past experiences in politics where he says he faced similar intimidation tactics. He pointed to his 2001 parliamentary campaign in Gulu as one such moment.
During that campaign, he said he once found a disturbing object placed at his campaign office—a chicken head accompanied by beads. For many of his supporters, this was interpreted as a bad omen.
He explained that the incident frightened his supporters at the time, but he personally chose to ignore it. According to him, he physically removed it and continued with his work without fear.
Mao believes that such experiences were meant to intimidate him, but instead strengthened his resolve in politics. He says he has learned not to be easily shaken by fear-based tactics.
He also shared that even in recent political gatherings, such as meetings in Kyankwanzi, he was repeatedly advised to be cautious about what he eats and drinks.
According to him, some individuals warned him that food and drinks could be tampered with. These warnings, he says, reflect a deeper problem of mistrust in political spaces.
Mao expressed concern that the level of suspicion has grown so much that even simple acts like eating at a parliamentary canteen have become stressful for some leaders.
He described a situation where MPs and officials are now afraid of shared meals, bottled water, and public refreshments due to fear of possible harm.
In his view, this reflects a breakdown in the spirit of trust and unity that once existed in Parliament. He compared the current environment to earlier years when leaders interacted more freely.
Mao recalled a time when Members of Parliament would sit together after sessions, share meals, and engage in open discussions about national issues.
He mentioned former Speaker Wapakhabulo as an example of a leader who encouraged dialogue and unity among MPs, fostering a more open political culture.
Today, however, Mao says things have changed significantly. He claims that suspicion and fear have replaced the camaraderie that once defined parliamentary life.
He warned that such an environment is unhealthy for the country’s democratic development and could negatively affect future generations of leaders.
Mao further claimed that the hostility is not limited to politicians alone. He said journalists and musicians who associate with him or give him media space have also reportedly faced intimidation.
He pointed out that even public engagement events have been affected. According to him, some people were discouraged from attending his birthday celebrations due to alleged warnings.
Despite all these challenges, Mao insists that he remains committed to his political goals. He says he is prepared to continue his pursuit of leadership in Parliament regardless of pressure.
He described himself as someone who has endured long-standing challenges in politics and continues to stand firm in his beliefs and ambitions.
In a bold statement, Mao even suggested that Ugandans should recognize his resilience in the face of intimidation and political pressure.
As the race for Speakership in the upcoming Parliament intensifies, Mao’s comments have added a new layer of tension and debate within Uganda’s political landscape.
