Kilak North Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG), Anthony Akol, has publicly declared his support for incumbent Anita Among in the forthcoming Speakership race.
Akol said his chances of voting for Democratic Party (DP) candidate and Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, remain slim unless directed by the ruling party’s top organ.
Speaking during NBS Frontline on Thursday, Akol clarified his position amid growing political debate over who will lead the 12th Parliament.
“I like my elder brother Norbert Mao. We’ve worked together for a long time. My support for Rt Hon Anita Among started way back before Mao announced his intention to stand for that position,” he said.
Akol said that while he respects Mao personally and politically, his allegiance in the Speakership race currently lies with Among.
“If CEC approves Mao as a Speaker candidate for NRM, I have no option but to vote for him. But for now, the chances that I will vote for him are narrow,” he said.
Akol also weighed in on the process of declaring candidacy for the Speakership, arguing that such announcements should be made in a politically neutral environment.
“I think if you want to be a Speaker, the declaration should be made in a neutral ground so that other party MPs can come and show you support,” he said.
Reflecting on parliamentary tradition, Akol noted that open expressions of support for Speakership candidates have long been part of Uganda’s political practice.
“I joined Parliament in 2016. There have always been people expressing support for a candidate for Speakership. In practice, that is what has always been happening,” he said.
Akol further commended Mao’s stance against tribal politics, saying, “I like that Norbert Mao said that supporting someone simply because they are your tribe mate is primitive.”
He revealed that the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the ruling National Resistance Movement has already endorsed Among for Speaker and Thomas Tayebwa for Deputy Speaker.
“CEC has endorsed Honourable Anita Among. I personally sat with my Secretary General and he told me Anita Among and Honourable Thomas Tayebwa have already been endorsed by the party,” he said.
Akol attributed Among’s strong grassroots support to her active involvement in campaigning for Members of Parliament-elect across the country.
“Honourable Anita Among campaigned for many MP-elects across the country. That’s why many are recording videos endorsing her for Speakership,” he said.
In recent days, Mao officially declared his bid for Speaker of the 12th Parliament, announcing that his nationwide consultation phase had concluded.
Addressing journalists at the party headquarters in Kampala, Mao said he had gathered sufficient views and support to inform his decision to enter the race for the top legislative seat.
Mao described corruption as Uganda’s biggest challenge, arguing that it has become deeply entrenched among individuals in positions of authority. He pledged that, if elected Speaker, he would prioritize accountability, transparency, and institutional integrity within Parliament.
“The legislature must reclaim its oversight role and ensure that public resources are managed responsibly,” Mao said.
However, he asked supporters and party members not to actively campaign for him, maintaining that he possesses the qualifications, experience, and track record necessary to contest for the position.
Mao also characterized Uganda as having ended up with what he termed an “accidental Speaker” following the death of former Speaker Jacob Oulanyah in September 2022.
He argued that Among assumed office due to unforeseen circumstances rather than as part of a long-term leadership plan.
According to Mao, the country now requires a deliberate and well-thought-out choice in the next Speakership race rather than one shaped by circumstance.
Weeks earlier, Mao asserted that the cooperation agreement between the Democratic Party and the National Resistance Movement places him in a favorable position in the contest.
He argued that the NRM’s majority in the incoming Parliament, combined with the DP–NRM partnership, significantly boosts his prospects.
Mao revealed that several Members of Parliament, including some outside the Democratic Party, have reached out to pledge support and assure him of their votes.
Despite the DP currently holding only six seats in Parliament, he maintained that his political experience, leadership credentials, and alliance with the NRM strengthen his bid.
Some of Mao’s supporters have compared his leadership style to that of the late Jacob Oulanyah, describing him as a conciliatory and unifying figure capable of presiding over Parliament with balance and inclusivity.
Mao disclosed that he has already begun consultations with President Yoweri Museveni under the framework of the DP–NRM cooperation agreement, signaling that his approach to the Speakership race is rooted in dialogue, consensus-building, and political accommodation rather than confrontation.
Mao is one of at least five candidates who have expressed interest in leading the 12th Parliament.
Other contenders include incumbent Speaker Anita Among; Persis Namuganza, MP-elect for Bukono County and State Minister for Housing; Lydia Wanyoto, MP-elect for Mbale City; and Yorke Alioni Odria, MP for Aringa South — all affiliated with the NRM.
The Speakership battle has since emerged as one of the most closely watched political developments of the year, with party endorsements, inter-party alliances, and regional considerations shaping what promises to be a highly competitive race for leadership of Uganda’s 12th Parliament.