In a significant political move, leaders from Lira City have openly declared their support for Justice Minister Norbert Mao to become the next Speaker of the 12th Parliament. At the same time, they sharply criticized recent statements made by the current Speaker, Anita Among, as the race for the powerful position heats up.
Sarah Awor Angweri, representing female workers in Lira City, spoke out against Speaker Among’s controversial comment. Among had suggested that cooperation between the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and opposition parties has limits, using a “bedroom” comparison. Awor strongly disagreed, stating that the leadership of Parliament should not be reserved for a single political group.
Awor firmly believes that Norbert Mao, who heads the Democratic Party Uganda, is a highly suitable candidate for Speaker. She described Mao as a man of strong principles, free from corruption, and guided by clear beliefs. Awor insisted that Mao should not be pressured to withdraw from the race.
She also dismissed the idea that the Speaker’s position should be rotated or limited to only two terms. Awor pointed out that Speaker Among herself took office in 2022 after the death of the previous Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah. This, Awor argued, shows that changes in leadership can happen unexpectedly, outside of fixed expectations.
Furthermore, Awor questioned Speaker Among’s ability to be neutral, highlighting Among’s role as the Second National Vice Chairperson of the NRM party. Awor argued that holding such a high party position could make it difficult for Among to be fair when leading parliamentary meetings, suggesting that important decisions might be influenced by party interests.
Awor stated that their backing for Mao reflects a broader desire for leadership that includes everyone, especially people from Northern Uganda, a region she believes has often been overlooked despite its support for President Yoweri Museveni.