The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has asked Democratic Party president Norbert Mao to abandon his bid for the Speakership of Parliament.
Mao has in recent weeks stepped up his interest in contesting for the Speaker’s position, setting up a potential challenge against incumbent Speaker Anita Among.
However, on Friday, Gen Muhoozi took to social media and urged Mao to withdraw from the race.
“I respectfully request my big brother Ladit Norbert Mao to not run for Speaker of Parliament. Please listen to your younger brother. We can get better positions,” Gen Muhoozi said.
Muhoozi’s appeal comes just weeks after the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) endorsed Speaker Anita Among and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa to retain their positions in the 12th Parliament.
President Yoweri Museveni, who also serves as NRM National Chairman, endorsed the two leaders in early March following resolutions passed during the 8th meeting of the party’s 5th Central Executive Committee (CEC) held on February 20, 2026.
Mao and Among have recently exchanged sharp remarks as competition for the Speakership intensifies, with Mao reportedly banking on his party’s cooperation agreement with the NRM to strengthen his candidacy.
While addressing NRM members during the ongoing retreat in Kyankwanzi on Thursday, Among suggested that political cooperation has limits.
“We do cooperate with other political parties, but the cooperation doesn’t mean that you come up to my bedroom; you remain in the compound,” she said.
